What is known about the death of a Japanese teenager who drowned in Bonito-MS

A Japanese teenager who was studying in São Paulo drowned on Tuesday, the 10th, during a school trip to a tourist farm in Bonito-MS. The Civil Police of Mato Grosso do Sul is investigating the case.

Soma Ishii, 13, studied at the British College of Brazil and traveled to Bonito on a school trip, according to the Civil Police of Mato Grosso do Sul.

On Tuesday, he was part of a group of 10 students who were taking a tour of the Mimosa Resort, walking along trails and past waterfalls under the guidance of a tour guide. In the afternoon, the group stopped to swim in a waterfall on the Mimoso River, where Ishii took off his life jacket and dove in, according to what police say he heard from his classmates.

At the end of this stage of the tour, the group noticed Ishii's absence – the police are investigating when the student's absence was noticed, as there are reports that this only occurred after the group had traveled another section and reached another waterfall.

When they noticed the Japanese man was missing, those responsible for the excursion began searching and found the student submerged in the waterfall where he had last been seen. Rescue teams tried to revive him and took the teenager to the hospital, where he arrived in cardiorespiratory arrest and with no vital signs. His death was confirmed shortly after.

In a press release, Estância Mimosa expressed its regret over the incident. “A tourist drowned and was rescued by instructors and staff until the Fire Department arrived. The victim was taken to the Darci João Bigaton municipal hospital, but unfortunately, he did not survive and died,” the statement said. “We are providing full support and fully collaborating with the authorities to clarify what happened,” the statement concluded. After the incident, the resort suspended all of its activities for the day.

The Civil Police are investigating the circumstances of the accident.