Thirty years after a series of alleged paranormal events in Varginha, Brazil, the mystery continues to divide opinion. The saga began in January 1996 when locals reported seeing strange creatures, including a horned being with red eyes and a malodorous entity with a heart-shaped face. Marco Antônio Reis, a zoo director, claims several animals died mysteriously after the sightings, their bodies 'black inside'.
The incident gained global attention, with some witnesses describing an 'ET' reminiscent of Steven Spielberg's film. However, a new documentary, The Mystery of Varginha, suggests the story was a hoax. It features a former soldier who admits spreading fake news after being bribed, and a ufologist who now calls the claims 'general nonsense'.
An army investigation published for the 30th anniversary concluded the sightings were a sham, possibly due to mass hysteria. It suggested witnesses mistook a local man for an alien during heavy rain. Despite this, many in Varginha remain convinced. New witnesses, including neurologist Ítalo Venturelli, have come forward, claiming to have seen a white alien in a hospital.
Ufologist Vitório Pacaccini, who wrote a book on the incident, rejects the documentary's findings, insisting 'something extraordinary happened'. The debate shows no sign of ending, as Varginha continues to attract visitors intrigued by its UFO lore.
