Boat Crash in Brazil Kills 6, Including Child

Speedboat collision with pier on Rio Grande river leaves 6 dead, 9 survivors

Feb. 22, 2026 at 2:51pm

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Six people, including a 4-year-old child, died after a speedboat collided with a pier on the Rio Grande river in Sacramento, Minas Gerais, Brazil on Saturday night. Nine others survived the incident, which prompted a large-scale rescue operation. The boat was carrying 15 passengers at the time of the collision, and the pilot did not have a boating license and was under the influence of alcohol.

Why it matters

Boat accidents and collisions are a serious safety concern in Brazil, where waterways are a major mode of transportation, especially in remote areas. This incident highlights the need for better enforcement of boating regulations and safety measures to prevent such tragic loss of life.

The details

According to the Minas Gerais Fire Department, the accident occurred around 11:00 PM local time on February 21, 2026. The speedboat, registered in Franca, São Paulo, collided with a pier on the Rio Grande river. Six people were confirmed dead, including a 4-year-old girl named Samila de Souza, and nine others survived. The victims include three women, two men, and one child. The pilot of the boat was among the deceased and did not have a boating license, and was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.

  • The accident occurred around 11:00 PM local time on February 21, 2026.
  • Rescue operations concluded around 4:30 AM on February 22, 2026.

The players

Samila de Souza

A 4-year-old girl who was among the six victims killed in the boat collision.

Lara Bianca

A 22-year-old woman who was identified as one of the victims killed in the accident.

Minas Gerais Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the accident and confirmed the six deaths and nine survivors.

Brazilian Navy

The agency that will investigate the cause of the boat collision.

Minas Gerais Civil Police (PCMG)

The police department that dispatched a forensic team to the accident site to collect evidence and information.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Minas Gerais Civil Police (PCMG)

What’s next

The Brazilian Navy will investigate the cause of the boat collision, and the Sacramento Police Department will continue their investigation into the incident.

The takeaway

This tragic boat accident in Brazil highlights the need for stricter enforcement of boating regulations and safety measures to prevent such devastating loss of life on the country's waterways. Authorities will need to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this collision to determine what steps can be taken to improve boating safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.