Ecuador's army reported that the body of Corporal Édgar Efraín Tenelema Ochoa, who had been missing following a fluvial accident in the Santiago River in Morona Santiago, was found in Peru. The discovery was made on the night of March 13, 2026, in the community of Muchinguis, located approximately 83 kilometers from the political border with Ecuador. The incident underscores the dangers faced by military personnel engaged in operations along the river and highlights the need for improved safety measures during such activities.

Peruvian military authorities notified their Ecuadorian counterparts about the recovery, which was confirmed by the soldier's family through photographs. This tragic event has generated a significant response, with drone assistance being employed to search for two other military personnel still missing after the river accident occurred earlier in the week. The coordination efforts between the two countries demonstrate international cooperation in addressing emergencies that cross borders, particularly in remote regions.

Following the identification of the body, arrangements are being made to transfer the remains of Corporal Tenelema Ochoa to Puerto Minas, where a unified command post is overseeing rescue operations. This phase of the operation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by rescue teams in the rugged and sometimes inaccessible terrain of the region, as well as the enduring impacts such incidents have on the families involved and the military community at large.