American family disappears in Brazil after pirates raid their boat on Amazon river
Authorities are still searching for the Heart family
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An American family traveling through the Amazon region has gone missing after their vessel was robbed by river pirates.
The Associated Press reported that the Heart family - husband Adam, wife Emily and two children - were among those on a ferry traveling in the Amazon River Delta area on Sunday when the vessel was attacked in northern Brazil.
“Several heavily armed men boarded the ferry and pusher and kept the passengers and crew hostage for hours,” a police representative was quoted telling FocusOn News, adding that there were reports the family jumped into the river to escape their captors.
Authorities said pirates fled the scene after forcing the boat to dock and seizing belongings onboard, according to the Associated Press. They arrived at the scene to find the Heart family missing.
“We have launched a full search with the civil police, military police, air rescue and fire department involved”, the Daily Mail quoted a Ministry of Public Security and Social Defence spokesperson saying.
According to the AP, authorities said the family had been living in the city of Florionapolis.
The family’s travels are documented in a blog that say an initial plan for a year-long trip to Tiera Del Fuego instead turned into an indefinite adventure.
“They are blisfully enjoying life on the slow road, with no end in sight”, the blog says.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments