world2 min(s) read
Horrifying moment journalist stepped on missing girl's body while reporting her disappearance
A broadcast in Brazil took a horrifying twist when a journalist reporting on a missing teenager appeared to step on her body while demonstrating conditions in the river where she was last seen.
The reporter entered the Mearim River in Bacabal, in the northeastern part of the country, to show how deep the water was and where the girl had reportedly been swimming, The Sun reports. At the time he seemed unaware that the girl’s body was lying on the riverbed below him.
The unsettling moment was captured on video as the reporter suddenly reacted in shock when the water rose to chest level. He backed out of the deeper area, visibly shaken. Soon after, rescuers resumed their search in the same spot where the journalist had been standing and recovered the girl’s body.
Officials later confirmed that the 13-year-old had died by drowning while cooling off with friends and that there were no signs of external injuries according to a post mortem examination. The discovery ended a tense search operation that had drawn local attention and concern.
Rescue efforts and discovery unfolded
Firefighters and divers had been searching the river for the missing girl when the reporter waded in to show conditions. After his broadcast, the specialised teams focused again on that section of the river and located her remains on June 30. It remains uncertain whether the reporter had felt her body beneath the surface during his report.
Reaction from community and school
Following the finding of her body, the school declared a period of mourning for the student.
Friends and family of the girl gathered for a vigil by the river, holding a community event where they lit candles and paid their respects to the young life lost.
The tragedy has had a powerful impact on the local area, prompting reflection on safety around the river’s strong currents and uneven depths.