A boating accident occurred in the Rio Grande, at the border between Rifaina, SP, and Sacramento, MG, on Saturday night, resulting in six fatalities. Among the deceased were a mother and her four-year-old son, as well as three other women and one man. Rescue operations revealed that nine individuals survived the tragic incident. Reports indicate that the group of 15 had just left a floating bar and were headed to a riverside house when their small craft collided with an unmarked pier. The collision ejected some passengers and caused the boat to capsize.

Witnesses reported that the pier lacked adequate signaling and nighttime lighting, which may have contributed to the accident's severity. Among the victims was the boat's pilot, Wesley Carlos da Silva, and the mother, Viviane Aredes, who was known to be the sister of the first lady of Patrocínio Paulista, SP. Viviane’s birthday was just the following day, on Sunday, the 22nd, further deepening the tragedy of this event. The identities of the victims also reveal a personal connection to the local community, amplifying the sorrow felt by their friends and relatives.

The incident raises questions about safety regulations for waterways and the importance of proper signaling for barge or pier structures, particularly in areas frequented by recreational boaters. With ongoing investigations, community safety advocates may push for improved measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.