MANAUS, BRAZIL – A fisherman couple survived for about three hours adrift on the Solimões River after the canoe they were traveling in capsized during a storm on Tuesday afternoon (30), in a rural area of the municipality of Manacapuru, in the interior of the Brazilian state of Amazonas.

The victims were identified as Raimunda Lima, 52, and José Carlos Ferreira, 61. To avoid drowning, they clung to a refrigerator door that was floating in the river. According to the couple, the storm and strong banzeiros—waves formed on rivers due to strong winds—caused the accident.

Although several boats passed through the area, no one noticed that the couple needed help. The rescue took place later in the afternoon, when an Amazonas Military Police speedboat returning from an operation spotted them.

According to officers from the 1st Military Police Unit of Anori, the woman was already very weak at the time of the rescue. During the operation, police officers also managed to recover the canoe, which had been drifting.

Raimunda and José Carlos were taken to the port of Manacapuru, where they received assistance from the Fire Department and were then transported to the city’s General Hospital. The woman remained under observation, but both are reported to be in good condition.

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