Photographer Missing After Attempting River Crossing Near 45-Meter Waterfall in Paraná

Photographer Ana Paula Silveira Cardoso, 29, has been missing for two days after attempting to cross a river near a 45-meter waterfall in Sapopema, northern Paraná, Brazil. The incident occurred on Saturday, November 25th, while she was hiking with a friend, Ana Carolina Camilo, at Salto das Orquídeas. Cardoso slipped into the strong current and disappeared. Her friend, Camilo, also fell but managed to hold onto a submerged rock and was later found approximately 500 meters downstream. Camilo was rescued on Sunday morning by a park employee and military police after spending nearly 18 hours alone in the dense forest. She sustained a fractured vertebra and is hospitalized in Cornélio Procópio. The river, Lajeado Liso, is known for its rapids, waterfalls, and three distinct drops, with the water level reportedly 40 centimeters above normal on the day of the disappearance due to recent rains. Approximately 30 individuals, including firefighters and volunteers, are involved in the search efforts, utilizing drones and an aircraft to cover the waterfall pool, riverbed, banks, and difficult-to-access areas. Cardoso, a resident of Londrina, was with a group when she and Camilo decided to cross the river to reach a viewpoint, using ropes for assistance.