Body of Pilot Found in Lake Manso Boat Accident

The recovery of Vando Celso Almeida Orro occurred in the morning hours of January 1st. The location was identified as the waters of Lake Manso, situated in the municipality of Chapada dos Guimarães. This area is located roughly 65 kilometers from the city of Cuiabá.

The pilot had been missing since the boat he was steering sank in the lake. The confirmation of his discovery was provided by the Marinha do Brasil (Brazilian Navy). This confirmation came after an intensive search period spanning five days in the region.

The discovery of the pilot followed the recovery of another victim from the accident. On Wednesday, December 31st, firefighters had already located the body of passenger Lucas Yerdliska, age 33.

The tragedy began on Sunday, December 28th, when the boat carrying the group capsized in the lake. The group was comprised of the pilot, Lucas Yerdliska, and the pilot's wife and their children. While the pilot and Mr. Yerdliska lost their lives, the other family members survived.

The survival of the mother and children was aided significantly by the actions of the couple's eldest child. The six-year-old boy managed to float to the bank of the lake using a colete salva-vidas (life vest). Once on land, he successfully sought help, leading to the rescue of his mother and younger sibling.

Witness reports indicated that the vessel was a small boat. It was navigating an area where wind and currents were particularly strong. These conditions were exacerbated by a storm that had occurred shortly before the accident.

The search for the missing individuals was a coordinated effort involving several agencies. The operation received support from the Centro Integrado de Operações Aéreas (Ciopaer). Additionally, the Polícia Militar Ambiental provided vessels to assist in the search.

The Corpo de Bombeiros (Firefighters) played a crucial role, dispatching teams from Cuiabá to reinforce the operation. They also deployed an additional watercraft and a drone to aid in scanning the waters. The search teams utilized boats to follow the current flow indicated by the lake's conditions at the time of the accident.

Safety measures were strictly enforced during the operation. Navigation via watercraft was restricted at night due to safety concerns. Local residents and frequenters of the area also assisted in the initial searches before official teams arrived.

Following the incident, the Capitania dos Portos announced that an administrative procedure would be opened. This inquiry aims to determine the causes of the sinking and to verify if the vessel complied with the safety regulations required for navigation in that location. The Navy is actively investigating the case.

Lake Manso is a reservoir formed over 20 years ago for a hydroelectric plant. Today, it is a popular tourist destination featuring various inns and luxury condominiums along its shores. However, the lake has been the site of previous accidents, raising concerns about safety in the area.