Girl, three, is among two dead after packed tourist boat sinks minutes into journey into the Brazilian Amazon

A three-year-old girl is among the two dead and seven missing on a tourist boat that sank just minutes before its journey towards the Brazilian Amazon.

The craft sank Friday near the famous Meeting of the Waters in Manaus, Brazil.

Harrowing footage showed women, children and men floating in the water wearing life jackets as nearby boats rushed to the scene of the sinking to save as many people as possible.

The boat left the Brazilian city at 12.30 on Friday and headed towards Nova Olinda do Norte.

However, it sank where two major rivers, the Rio Negro and the Rio Solimões, met but did not mix.

A total of 71 people were rescued by firefighters, although the Amazonas State Health Department confirmed the death of three-year-old girl Samila de Souza.

The young girl was taken to a nearby children’s hospital, but unfortunately she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The second fatal victim was identified as 22-year-old Lara Bianca. His body was brought to the fire department’s river patrol unit in Manaus Port around 6 p.m.

The craft sank Friday near the famous Meeting of the Waters in Manaus, Brazil.

Sad images showed women, children and men wearing life jackets floating in the water.

Most of those rescued escaped serious injury, Colonel Elliton, commander of the specialist firefighters, told local media: ‘Many had already been rescued by passing boats in the area; ‘The assistance was provided by specialist teams focusing on pre-hospital care and the rescue of those still in the water.’

A total of 25 firefighters, three boats and eight fire engines, as well as a police boat and an ambulance, were sent to rescue the victims.

The Brazilian navy also sent a river rescue team and a helicopter to find the passengers.

While divers searched below the water’s surface, other teams combed the riverbanks for survivors.

The operator of the boat, Lima de Abreu Navegações, said in a statement: ‘We are currently conducting a conference call with all persons on board, including passengers and crew, to verify the information with full responsibility and transparency.

We are also investigating all the circumstances leading to the incident with the competent authorities.’

Local police said the boat’s captain was arrested on charges of manslaughter but was released on bail.

Although specialist investigators are currently reviewing the case, a multi-agency task force has been formed to coordinate the response to the situation.

For the victims of the tragedy, support teams of psychologists and social workers were sent to assist families waiting for news of their loved ones.