Tragic Plane Crash in Vinhedo: Brazilian Authorities Work to Recover Remains
A plane crashed in Vinhedo, Brazil, killing all 62 people on board. Authorities had recovered 31 bodies by Saturday afternoon. The identities of the pilot and co-pilot have been confirmed, and efforts to identify the other victims are ongoing using various means, including DNA samples from relatives.
Brazilian authorities are working diligently to recover the remains of passengers from a plane that crashed on Friday in Vinhedo, near Sao Paulo, resulting in the deaths of all 62 individuals on board. By 1 p.m. local time on Saturday, 31 bodies had been recovered, according to the Sao Paulo state government. The identities of the pilot and co-pilot have been confirmed, as stated by Vinhedo's mayor, Dario Pacheco.
The bodies are being transported to Sao Paulo's police morgue, with victims including a Venezuelan man and a Portuguese woman, as confirmed by state civil defense official Roberto Farina. Their respective consulates have been notified. The plane, operated by regional carrier Voepass, was initially reported to have 57 passengers and four crew members; however, the total now stands at 62.
Efforts to identify the victims are utilizing seat assignments, physical traits, documents, and personal belongings such as cell phones, firefighter Maycon Cristo said. DNA samples from relatives are being collected to aid in the identification process, as noted by state civil defense coordinator Henguel Pereira. Meanwhile, the plane's black box is undergoing analysis to gather insights into the crash, according to Marcelo Moreno, the head of Brazilian aviation accident investigation center Cenipa.
(With inputs from agencies.)