A three-day period of official mourning began Sunday in Patrocínio Paulista, São Paulo state, following the deaths of Viviane Aredes, 36 and her son, Bento Aredes, 4, in a lancha accident on the Rio Grande, which marks the border between Rifaina, SP, and Sacramento, MG. Viviane was the sister of Isabela Aredes, the first lady of Patrocínio Paulista.
“In this moment of immense pain, we stand in solidarity with all family and friends, asking God to grant strength, serenity, and comfort to grieving hearts. May faith be a source of support and may the memory of Viviane and Bento live on in the love of all who had the privilege of knowing them,” the municipal government stated.
Isabela Aredes expressed her grief on social media, posting a photo of her sister and nephew with the message, “What pain, my God.” Her husband, Mayor Mário Marcelo, posted a black ribbon symbolizing mourning.
Sunday would have been Viviane Aredes’ 36th birthday, her sister noted in a social media post.
Authorities confirmed that the operator of the lancha involved in the Saturday night collision was not licensed to operate a vessel. The Marinha do Brasil issues the “Arrais Amador” certification, comparable to a driver’s license for waterways, authorizing the operation of sport and recreational boats. The operator was among the six fatalities.
According to the Corpo de Bombeiros, the lancha departed from Franca, SP, carrying 15 passengers. It collided with a pier on the Minas Gerais side of the Rio Grande. Initial rescue efforts were conducted by the Guarda Civil and Defesa Civil of Rifaina, who were closer to the scene.
Three survivors were transported to a hospital in Rifaina, while six others at the scene sustained no apparent injuries. In addition to Viviane and Bento Aredes, the deceased were identified as Wesley Carlos da Silva, 45. Juliana Fernanda de Oliveira Silva Ferreira, 40; Marina Matias Rodrigues, 22; and Erica Fernanda Lima, all residents of Franca, SP.
Three of the bodies were recovered by an amateur diver who was in the vicinity. The scene was secured by the Araxá technical forensics team, which assumed responsibility for the investigation.
Witnesses reported that the pier lacked both lighting and nighttime signaling, contributing to the accident. The lancha was returning from a floating bar and heading towards a ranch on the riverbank when the collision occurred.
