In a tragic incident over the weekend, six victims of a boat accident on the Grande River, which serves as a border between São Paulo and Minas Gerais, were buried in Franca. The accident occurred on Saturday night when the boat, carrying 15 passengers, collided with a pier while returning from a floating bar. The boat was headed towards a ranch in Sacramento, which is separated from the city of Rifaina by the Jaguara reservoir formed by the Grande River. Among those on board, nine people survived, with three receiving hospital treatment but later being discharged, while six others were unharmed.

The funeral took place on Monday, where the bodies of several victims, including that of a 4-year-old boy and his mother, were laid to rest. The casualties included Viviane Aredes, 35, her son Bento, and other adults such as Juliana Fernanda de Oliveira Silva Ferreira and Erika Fernanda Leal Lima, who were also among the deceased. The pilot of the boat, Wesley Carlos da Silva, and another victim, Marina Rodrigues Mathias, were buried later in the day, deepening the tragedy felt by their families and the community.

Authorities, including police and the Brazilian Navy, have initiated investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. The inquiry aims to uncover details about safety compliance and the events leading to the collision, as this incident raises serious concerns about watercraft safety in the area. The outcome of these investigations will likely have implications for regulations governing boat operations on the Grande River, impacting future safety measures across similar water routes.