A 19-year-old hiker who vanished for five days on one of Brazil's most perilous mountain trails has been found alive in a remarkable tale of survival.
A New Year's Day hike turns perilous
Roberto Farias Tomaz set out to hike Pico Paraná, the highest peak in southern Brazil, on New Year's Day alongside a friend. The pair reached the summit and began their descent with another group at approximately 6:30am. However, during the climb, Roberto began to feel unwell, according to firefighter reports.
The situation escalated when the teenager became separated from his companions. Authorities were alerted just hours later, triggering a major search and rescue mission involving police and firefighters.
Five-day ordeal and miraculous self-rescue
For five agonising days, Roberto was missing in the rugged wilderness. He had no mobile phone and only limited food and water supplies to sustain him. In an incredible feat of endurance, the young man managed to navigate through difficult terrain and dense woodland, walking an estimated 20 kilometres.
His journey ended in the Cacatu area of Antonina, where he finally reached a farm. The alarmed owners immediately contacted the authorities, and Roberto was rushed to hospital for medical assessment.
Stable condition and heartfelt thanks
In a video shared on social media via Brazilian news site G1, Roberto described his condition: "My body is covered in bruises, I have several scrapes, I can't see because I lost my glasses, but I'm okay." Medical tests confirmed he was in a stable condition, showing signs of mild dehydration and hematomas on his lower limbs.
His relieved family, from Pinhais in the Curitiba metropolitan region, released a statement saying, "We found Roberto! He is alive, he is well, and he is already being taken to the hospital. Thank you to all the angels who came here to help us!"
The successful conclusion of the search was credited to a massive collaborative effort. The operation involved over 100 firefighters and around 300 volunteers. Governor of Paraná, Ratinho Junior, expressed his sincere thanks to all involved, praising their "dedication and humanity."
Colonel Hudson Leoncio Teixeira, the State Secretary of Public Security, highlighted the intensity of the five-day search and the crucial role played by the preparedness of the rescue teams and volunteers.
Pico Paraná is notorious for its high difficulty level, long distances, and significant risk of accidents. The trail spans more than 15km and typically takes experienced hikers around 13 hours to complete, underscoring the extreme challenge Roberto faced during his solitary ordeal.
