River boat sinks in central Peru

Two people have died and three are missing after a river boat carrying passengers and cargo capsized in the central Peruvian jungle.

Another 42 people were rescued from the water, a local mayor told Peruvian television.

The boat was travelling south on the Ucayali River from Pucallpa, 490km (305 miles) northeast of the capital, Lima, when it sank early on Thursday morning.

Officials had feared that the number of casualties would be much higher.

Jaime Carrion, mayor of Tahuania, the closest town, told Peruvian television station Canal N that the town had sent 10 boats to the accident site to find the survivors.

He said five people were treated at a local medical centre but their injuries were not serious.

In Peru's remote jungle areas, river boats are the main form of transport but many are poorly maintained.