Family vacation ends in tragedy as girl, 11, plunges to her death from Brazil's biggest canyon
Bianca Bernardon Zanella let her curiosity get the better of her when she ran towards the biggest canyon in Brazil on Thursday and lost her footing.
Her dad said the family was about to return to the base of the Fortaleza Canyon in Cambara do Sul when the tragedy unfolded at about 1pm local time.
Died: Bianca Bernardon Zanella died after falling off a cliff at Fortaleza Canyon in Cambara do Sul, Brazil on Thursday. The 11-year-old, who was diagnosed with autism, reportedly ran from a bench where her parents were about to sit and was chased by her father, who was unable to prevent her fall
Zanella's father told CambarA do Sul police chief Fernanda Aranha they were about to return to the base of the canyon before his wife escorted their two sons, ages 5 and 9, to a snack bar.
He stood behind with Zanella, who had autism. They were about to sit on a bench located in an area of the canyon that is considered the highest point.
Zanella at one point ran while her father was not looking and was chased before falling off the cliff around 1pm local time.
The youngster's body was located in the canyon around 5.30pm with the use of a drone that was deployed by the fire department.
A search mission via helicopter was postponed due to fog and bad weather at the canyon.
A team of firefighters rappelled into the mountain in a mission and found Bianca dead at around 11pm.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was shocked by Zanella's death.
'The death of little Bianca Zanella, 11, moved me deeply,' Lula wrote on his X account Friday morning.
'She fell from a cliff in the Serra Geral National Park, in Rio Grande do Sul, and despite the brave efforts of security forces, it was not possible to rescue her alive.
'I express my deepest sympathy to his parents and family, and I pray that God brings them comfort in this time of grief.'
Serra Geral National Park was closed to visitors on Friday as part of a Rio Grande do Sul Civil Police investigation.
Fortaleza Canyon, which is 4.7 miles long and 6,561ft wide, is 3,795ft above sea level and 14 miles from the city center.
The site features several guarded trails, including the Mirante Trail, which offers a complete view of the canyon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 minutes ago
- BBC News
Man charged with arson after Clacton fire
A man has been charged with arson after three shops and several homes were damaged by fire. Emergency services were called to West Avenue, in Clacton, Essex, on Monday at 00:35 BST to reports of a 40 firefighters were sent to the scene, and 70 residents were evacuated from their homes and taken to a refuge centre set up in a nearby hotel, before later moving to a leisure centre. There were no reports of any injuries. Christian Capes, 42, of Beach Road, Clacton, was charged with arson with intent to endanger life. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
33 minutes ago
- BBC News
Tribute to wife killed saving her child from falling tree branch
The husband of a woman killed when she pushed her daughter out of the way from a falling tree branch has paid tribute to "the most beautiful woman in the world".Wasim Kauser added his wife Madia, 32, from Blackburn, "did everything for our two children, she did everything she could for anyone and would bring smiles whenever she entered the room".Mrs Kauser was struck while walking with her husband and two children in Witton Country Park in Blackburn on 11 with Darwen Council, which owns the 480-acre (195-hectare) park, had since chopped down the beech tree from which the branch had fallen. Mr Kauser said said: "'My wife, a mother of two, a daughter, sister and a friend we lost to a tragic event that came on the way home from a family day out in the park."He added: "She was my comfort, my partner in life and the love of my life. We have so many great memories, went through pain together and started a family together. 'One and only' "Honestly, I feel completely lost without her and I do not know how to put into words how much I miss her face, her character and her presence."My one and only."Lancashire Police, which is carrying out a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), has appealed for Insp Iain Czapowski said: "This is an absolutely tragic incident which has cost a young woman her life and my thoughts are with her loved ones."I am especially keen to speak to anyone who actually saw what happened on that fateful night and I would urge them to contact us." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Andrew and Dawn Searle: Actor son of 'murder-suicide' victim urges late mother's friends not to attend stepfather's funeral
An actor and musician whose mother was the victim of a suspected murder-suicide in France has urged her friends not to attend his stepfather's funeral. Callum Kerr, who starred in Hollyoaks and Netflix's Virgin River, said it would be "inappropriate" for the memory of his mum to be associated with a service honouring the man who "may have been responsible for her death". The bodies of British couple Andrew and Dawn Searle were discovered on 6 February at their home in the hamlet of Les Pesquies. Mrs Searle's body was found outside the property with a significant head injury, while Mr Searle's body was discovered inside. Prosecutors later ruled the incident to be murder-suicide due to a lack of evidence that someone else was involved. In an Instagram post on behalf of himself and his sister, Amanda Kerr, Mr Kerr said: "In the absence of any evidence suggesting third-party involvement in the tragic death of our mother, Dawn Kerr, the prevailing hypothesis remains that of a murder-suicide." Mr Kerr, a country music singer who is also set to appear in the second season of Netflix's One Piece, said his mother was "killed by multiple blows to the head", while "no defensive wounds" were found on Mr Searle. Mr Kerr said: "While the official investigation is still ongoing, we cannot ignore the circumstances as they stand. "For this reason, we must respectfully but firmly request that our mother not be included in any way in the funeral arrangements being made for Andrew. "Please do not share photographs of them together. Please do not attend Andrew's service if you were a friend of our mother. "It would be inappropriate for her memory to be associated with a service honouring the man who, based on all available evidence, may have been responsible for her death. "We ask for understanding, privacy and respect as we continue to grieve and seek justice for our mum." Mr and Mrs Searle, who previously lived in Musselburgh in East Lothian, had been living in the Aveyron region for five years. They lived in Les Pesquies and were married in 2023 in the nearby town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, with Mr Kerr walking his mum down the aisle. Neighbours described them as a happy couple, who had fully integrated into rural French life and held an annual party for villagers. Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, the mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue who conducted the couple's wedding, told Sky News they were "very happy, very friendly and didn't seem to have any problems". Mrs Searle, 56, grew up in Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, while Mr Searle, 62, was originally from England. According to his LinkedIn page, Mr Searle retired in 2015 after previously working in financial crime prevention at companies including Standard Life and Barclays. Following the deaths, investigators were said to be following several lines of inquiry - including whether the couple were killed during a burglary or potential links to Mr Searle's previous work in the UK.
