A boat carrying 64 people, mostly tourists, has sunk near the Brazilian coastal resort city of Cabo Frio, killing at least 12 people, including a 10-year-old girl, officials say.
Rio de Janeiro state Civil Defence Secretary Col. Carlos Alberto de Carvalho said five passengers were still missing, but hopes were high they had been rescued by some of the many boats that rushed to help the sinking Tona Galea.
"Divers have checked the capsized boat and there is nobody there. We are now checking hospitals one by one. Maybe these people are alive, maybe they have simply gone home," he said by mobile telephone from the scene, adding divers suspended rescue attempts.
Most people aboard the boat were tourists from neighbouring Sao Paulo state. Earlier, officials said the boat had been carrying 45 passengers. The capacity of the Tona Galea boat was 78 people.
"It was a typical maritime trip for those visiting Cabo Frio for the first time, and it turned into a tragedy," said Rio de Janeiro state Civil Defence commander Col. Jorge Lopes.
Officials said rough seas and strong winds must have caused the accident. The boat was returning from Papagaio island near the coast, a popular spot for tourists.