Miqueias Oliveira da Silva, 13, Uallen Souza Rodrigues, 14, and Osanir Gomes da Silva, 15, died after they were reportedly zapped by an electric eel while swimming in a stream in Brazil
Three teenage mates have tragically lost their lives after reportedly being electrocuted by an electric eel while taking a dip in a shallow stream.
Miqueias Oliveira da Silva, 13, Uallen Souza Rodrigues, 14, and Osanir Gomes da Silva, 15, had plunged into the water following a school sports class when disaster struck. The incident unfolded on April 6 in a rural part of Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil, where the lads had paused to cool down before heading back to lessons.
Family members report that Miqueias was the first to be hit by a sudden electric shock, believed to have been emitted by a poraque, a type of electric fish native to the Amazon.
His two pals dashed to his aid but were also zapped by the same potent discharge. Emergency services were summoned, but all three teenagers sadly passed away before they could be rescued.
Medical personnel attempted resuscitation at the scene and even intubated one of the boys, but none responded to treatment.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death, including whether it was due to electrocution or drowning.
Doctors have yet to confirm the exact cause and suggest it’s also possible the shock originated from an electrical source in the water. Examiners found signs consistent with drowning, indicating the boys may have lost consciousness in the water following the shock.
However, family members are adamant the deaths were caused by the electric fish, stating there are no power lines near the water and that the area is known for the species.
It was stated that the lads were proficient swimmers and had frolicked in the stream numerous times before without any mishaps.
One heartbroken father described the loss as “unbearable pain” after being informed of the tragedy by another child who had been close by.
They pointed out that electric eels typically need direct contact to deliver a full shock, which raises queries about how all three boys were impacted.
Specialists say the poraque can generate electric charges of up to 860 volts, potent enough to paralyse prey and inflict severe pain on humans.
The fish utilises the shock as a defence mechanism rather than for attack, usually striking when it feels endangered.
Officials have initiated an investigation to ascertain whether the fatalities were caused by wildlife or a potential electrical hazard in the stream.
The boys, who were classmates and tight-knit friends, have since been mourned by their school and local community.