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Brazilian Fisherman Survives 17 Hours at Sea Clinging to Refrigerator Door

Investigators are examining whether recent storms caused the sinking that killed his father.

Overview

  • A Polícia Militar helicopter found the 35-year-old near the Islas Tamboretes about 4 kilometers off São Francisco do Sul and airlifted him to Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças, where he is stable.
  • Father and son were shrimp fishing on Monday afternoon when their vessel went down for reasons that authorities have not yet determined.
  • The survivor endured roughly 17 hours adrift overnight by holding onto a refrigerator door until his rescue on Tuesday.
  • The father's body, identified as Valmoci Vicente Bento, 58, was recovered Tuesday about 9 kilometers from shore and roughly 350 meters from the sunken boat.
  • Rescue images circulated widely, drawing strong public attention and affecting the local fishing community.