Rio de Janeiro firefighters are searching for a 14-year-old boy who disappeared in the sea off Copacabana on Wednesday, December 31. The teenager entered the water around 11:30 a.m. and has not been seen since, amid a strong swell with waves up to 2.5 meters. By late afternoon, there were no signs of the boy despite the use of divers, helicopters, and drones.
On the morning of December 31, a 14-year-old teenager from Campinas (SP) entered the sea at Posto 2 in Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone, around 11:30 a.m. According to the Rio Military Firefighters Corps (CBMERJ), the boy sank in the water and was not seen again. The search began shortly after, involving specialized teams including divers, aircraft, helicopters, and drones, but by 5 p.m., there were no signs of the boy's whereabouts.
The incident takes place on a day of hazardous sea conditions along the Rio coast. The Rio Civil Defense issued a severe alert in the early afternoon, forecasting waves up to 2.5 meters along the capital's shoreline and the entire state coast up to Arraial do Cabo in the Lakes Region. The alert, valid until the morning of January 1, reinforces advice for residents and tourists to avoid sea baths, especially at night, a common practice during New Year's Eve celebrations following the recent heatwave. Earlier in the week, the Brazilian Navy had published a danger warning about unfavorable beach conditions, predicting high waves.
According to firefighters, 111 sea rescues were performed just on this Wednesday across the entire South Orla of Rio, covering Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, São Conrado, and Arpoador. Another report mentions three rescues on the capital's coast, underscoring the intensity of lifesaving operations amid the year-end swell. The search for the teenager continues as the city prepares for the New Year's turnover with millions expected on the beach.
