The body of a 19-year-old man who drowned while swimming with friends in the Pandeiros river, located near Januária, was discovered on Friday after four days of extensive search efforts by the local fire department. The incident occurred on Tuesday when the young man submerged in a popular swimming area known as '1ª Cachoeira do Pandeiros,' approximately 52 kilometers from the city. The search was complicated due to poor visibility from muddy waters and challenging conditions, including strong currents and an irregular riverbed filled with stones and debris.

Firefighters described the recovery efforts as of 'high complexity,' as they navigated through treacherous conditions to locate the victim. Eventually, the body was found about 200 meters downstream from where he was last seen. Following the recovery, the local police took custody of the body for investigation, which is standard procedure in cases of accidental death.

This tragic event has drawn attention to the safety conditions at popular swimming spots, especially in natural bodies of water that can present unforeseen dangers. Families and visitors are reminded to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines when engaging in recreational activities such as swimming in river areas.