Thassia de Almeida and Leone Barbosa Die in Sudden Hiking Tragedy

Minas Gerais, Brazil – April 20, 2024 – A young couple tragically died after being swept away by a sudden flood while hiking in a remote canyon in Brazil. Thassia de Almeida, 36, and her boyfriend Leone Barbosa, 38, were part of a group of 10 explorers trekking through the Peixe Tolo Canyon in Serra do Intendente State Park when disaster struck on April 19.

The group was near a usually calm waterfall in Conceição do Mato Dentro when heavy rains caused the water to rise rapidly. Without warning, a powerful surge of water—known as a waterhead—swept the couple away. Their horrified friends managed to escape, but Thassia and Leone were carried downstream by the violent current.

A search operation involving the Fire Department, Civil Defense, and local authorities located their bodies nearly 24 hours later using a spotter plane.

Meteorologists explained that intense rainfall had fallen upstream, causing the river to swell suddenly. Disaster expert Giovanni Dolif said, *”The heavy rain at the river’s source created a fast-rising wave, known as a waterhead.”*

Naiane Araújo from Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) added that such dangerous surges are more common during warmer months. “A waterhead is an unstable weather phenomenon that dumps large amounts of water quickly, drastically increasing river volume,” she explained.

The surviving hikers took shelter in a nearby property and called for help. Rescuers reached them overnight and evacuated them safely. Though unharmed, they were reportedly “terrified” by the ordeal.

Local authorities have temporarily closed the canyon as a safety precaution. A spokesperson for Conceição do Mato Dentro City Hall expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and offered support to the victims’ families.

A Warning for Hikers

This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of hiking near waterfalls and rivers, especially after heavy rain. Even seemingly calm waters can turn deadly within minutes.