At least 15 people drowned Sunday and as many as 40 remained missing after an overcrowded boat capsized in the Solimoes river in the northwestern Brazilian state of Amazonas, the Brazilian navy said.

Emergency services rushed to the scene near Manacapuru, 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Amazonas capital Manaus, and recovered the bodies of 15 people from the water, an Amazonas fire department official said.

Navy diving teams continued to look for between 30 and 40 missing people, a navy official said.

The boat had about 110 passengers on board, most of them young people returning from a party. Initial reports said the boat had a capacity of 50, and that there were 80 passengers aboard.

The ship may have capsized as a result of overloading as well as strong winds, firefighters said.

The Solimoes is a major tributary of the Amazon river and its waters are about 100 meters (330 feet) deep, according to local radio.

PHOTO CAPTION

A Brazilian police officer is seen on the banks of the Solimoes River in Amazonia, Brazil, in 2000.

AFP