A young hiker who went missing for five days after disappearing during a challenging hike has been located following an extensive rescue mission. Roberto Farias Tomaz, 19, was found safe on Monday after vanishing on Pico Parana, the highest peak in southern Brazil, on January 1. He had embarked on the trek with a friend but felt unwell during the ascent, as reported by firefighters.
The teenager and his companion encountered two other groups at the mountain top before starting their descent at 6:30 am on New Year’s Day. Concern arose when Roberto got separated from the group shortly afterward, prompting a search effort by police and firefighters.
After an arduous five-day search, Roberto was discovered on Monday having trekked approximately 20km through challenging terrain and woods to the Cacatu area of Antonina. He sought help at a farm where the owners alerted authorities, leading to his rescue and subsequent hospitalization for evaluation. Despite lacking a phone, Roberto managed to sustain himself on limited food and water supplies during his ordeal.
In a video shared on social media, Roberto described his physical condition, mentioning bruises, scrapes, and lost glasses but expressing relief at being found. Medical tests revealed mild dehydration and bruises on his lower limbs, although he remains in stable health.
Roberto’s family, located in Pinhais near Curitiba, have been reunited with him and expressed gratitude for the support received. The Governor of Parana, Ratinho Junior, commended the search teams comprising over 100 firefighters and hundreds of volunteers for their dedication in locating Roberto. The State Secretary of Public Security, Colonel Hudson Leoncio Teixeira, highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to the successful rescue operation.
Pico Parana is renowned for its challenging terrain and potential hazards, being the highest point in the southern region of Brazil. The trail spans more than 15km and typically requires around 13 hours to complete.