At least 11 killed and 8 missing after passenger ferry sinks as divers, rescue boats and helicopter search for survivors

AT least 11 people have died and eight people are missing after a ferry sank.

The vessel was carrying 82 passengers from the island of Marajo to Belem, Brazil, when it began to flood with water.

Rescue crews rushed to the scene and managed to save 63 people.

But at least 11 died and eight people are still missing following the incident on Thursday.

Divers, at least nine vessels, and a helicopter took part in the search for the missing, which lasted until nightfall.

Authorities in Para said the boat was not authorised to perform intercity passenger transport services and had departed from a clandestine port.

Video footage filmed by a passenger shows the moment when water started to enter the boat.

A second video shows survivors in the murky river grasping onto the sinking vessel.

The Brazilian Navy has said it will investigate the wreck.

The ill-fated ferry was en route from the locality of Camara to the riverside city of Belem when it sunk near the island of Cotijuba at around 9.30am.

The boat - named Santa Lourdes - belonged to the company M. Souza Navegacao, which had already been reported for operating without authorisation, it's reported.

The man responsible for the vessel has been identified as Marcos de Souza Oliveira.

Investigators said he had survived the sinking but had gone on the run and had not yet been found.

The Department of Health of Belem is reportedly providing care to the survivors.

The search for the missing resumed today.