At least 12 people died and nearly 20 were rescued after a sudden riverbank collapse caused large waves to overturn two passenger boats in Peru’s Amazon region, highlighting the perils faced by remote indigenous communities.
The disaster occurred near Iparia pier, a location over a day’s travel from the capital of the Ucayali region.
Peru’s National Civil Defense Emergency Operations Center reported that a massive volume of soil from the collapsing riverbank struck the water. This impact generated powerful waves that instantly capsized both vessels.
Emergency medical personnel confirmed that nearly 20 individuals have been rescued and are receiving treatment. The number of missing persons remains unknown, prompting an urgent and ongoing search operation.
The Peruvian Navy has joined the search efforts, coordinating to locate those still unaccounted for.
Witnesses described a scene of panic and chaos along the riverbank. People were seen helping exhausted victims who lay on the ground, while others struggled to swim to shore amidst widespread cries for help.
The majority of those affected are indigenous residents living along the Ucayali River. For these communities, riverboats serve as the primary means of travel and transport, making this tragedy a significant loss.
This incident marks another in a series of accidents on Peru’s Amazonian waterways.
In May 2025, a Peruvian Navy ship collided with a Perenco oil tanker on the Amazon River, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and one person reported missing.
Earlier, in September 2024, a different boat on the Ucayali River struck an underwater log. That accident killed six people, though more than 80 passengers were rescued.
The current search efforts continue against the clock, with families of the missing gathering by the river in hopes of their loved ones’ safe return.