Boat Crash in Brazil: 6 Dead, Including Child – Investigation Launched

Six Dead, Including a Four-Year-Old, After Boat Collision in Brazil

Six people died, including a four-year-old child, after a speedboat collided with a pier on the Rio Grande river in Sacramento, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on Saturday night, February 21, 2026. Nine others survived the incident, which prompted a large-scale rescue operation involving teams from Minas Gerais and São Paulo.

The accident occurred around 11:00 PM local time. According to information from the Minas Gerais Fire Department, six people were confirmed dead and nine survived. The Brazilian Navy will investigate the cause of the collision.

Among the deceased is Samila de Souza, a three-year-old girl, who was transported to a local children’s hospital but pronounced dead upon arrival, according to Brazilian outlet Globo. Lara Bianca, 22, was the second victim identified by the Forensic Medical Institute.

The boat, registered in Franca, São Paulo, was carrying 15 passengers at the time of the collision. Three survivors were taken for medical attention in Rifaina, São Paulo, while six others remained at the scene without apparent injuries.

The victims include three women, two men, and one child. Their identities have not yet been released.

Initial responders from the Civil Guard and Civil Defense of Rifaina provided the first assistance, being closest to the accident site. The Minas Gerais Military Fire Department was subsequently activated, mobilizing personnel from Sacramento, Uberaba, and Araxá.

Firefighters arriving on the scene around 11:30 PM found no immediate rescue needs. However, a dive team conducted a sweep of the area to rule out the possibility of additional submerged victims, finding none.

According to reports from those who assisted in the initial rescue efforts, three bodies were located quickly, while another three were found by an amateur diver who was nearby.

The pilot of the boat was among the deceased and reportedly did not have a boating license and was under the influence of alcohol.

Technical experts have been called to the scene, and the Captaincy of the Ports responsible for the area has been notified to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Rescue operations concluded around 4:30 AM on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The Minas Gerais Civil Police (PCMG) stated that, upon being notified, they dispatched a forensic team to the accident site. “The forensic team collected initial evidence and information to support the investigation. The bodies of six victims – four women, one man, and one child – were sent to the Legal Medical Institute of Araxá for examination and identification. The case is being investigated by the Sacramento Police Department, and further information will be released after the completion of judicial police procedures,” according to a statement from the PCMG.