A teenage hiker who vanished for five days on one of Brazil's most dangerous mountain trails has been found alive in a remarkable tale of survival.
Disappearance on a New Year's Day hike
Roberto Farias Tomaz, aged 19, set out to hike Pico Paraná, the highest peak in southern Brazil, on New Year's Day with a friend. The pair reached the summit alongside other groups and began their descent at approximately 6:30am. However, during the climb, Roberto began to feel unwell, according to firefighter reports.
Hours later, the alarm was raised when he became separated from his companion. A major search and rescue operation was immediately launched, involving police and firefighters.
A five-day ordeal and miraculous self-rescue
For five days, Roberto was missing in the rugged terrain with no mobile phone and only limited food and water supplies. In an incredible feat of endurance, he managed to trek approximately 20 kilometres through difficult woodland and mountainous landscape.
His journey ended in the Cacatu area of Antonina, where he reached a farm. The owners promptly alerted authorities, ending the extensive search. Roberto was then taken to hospital for medical assessment.
Recovery and official thanks
In a video shared on social media, the resilient teenager 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," he said. Hospital tests confirmed he was in a stable condition, suffering from mild dehydration and hematomas on his lower limbs.
His relieved family, from Pinhais in the Curitiba Metropolitan Region, released a statement: "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 Governor of Paraná, Ratinho Junior, praised the efforts of the rescue teams, which included over 100 firefighters and around 300 volunteers. Colonel Hudson Leoncio Teixeira, the State Secretary of Public Security, highlighted the five days of intense searching that culminated in the successful operation.
Pico Paraná is notorious for its high difficulty, long distances, and significant risk of accidents. The trail spans more than 15km and typically takes around 13 hours to complete, making Roberto's survival and self-extrication all the more extraordinary.
