Family vacation ends in tragedy as girl, 11, plunges to her death from Brazil's biggest canyon
Bianca Bernardon Zanella let her curiosity get the better of her when she ran towards the biggest canyon in Brazil on Thursday and lost her footing.
Her dad said the family was about to return to the base of the Fortaleza Canyon in Cambara do Sul when the tragedy unfolded at about 1pm local time.
Died: Bianca Bernardon Zanella died after falling off a cliff at Fortaleza Canyon in Cambara do Sul, Brazil on Thursday. The 11-year-old, who was diagnosed with autism, reportedly ran from a bench where her parents were about to sit and was chased by her father, who was unable to prevent her fall
Zanella's father told CambarA do Sul police chief Fernanda Aranha they were about to return to the base of the canyon before his wife escorted their two sons, ages 5 and 9, to a snack bar.
He stood behind with Zanella, who had autism. They were about to sit on a bench located in an area of the canyon that is considered the highest point.
Zanella at one point ran while her father was not looking and was chased before falling off the cliff around 1pm local time.
The youngster's body was located in the canyon around 5.30pm with the use of a drone that was deployed by the fire department.
A search mission via helicopter was postponed due to fog and bad weather at the canyon.
A team of firefighters rappelled into the mountain in a mission and found Bianca dead at around 11pm.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was shocked by Zanella's death.
'The death of little Bianca Zanella, 11, moved me deeply,' Lula wrote on his X account Friday morning.
'She fell from a cliff in the Serra Geral National Park, in Rio Grande do Sul, and despite the brave efforts of security forces, it was not possible to rescue her alive.
'I express my deepest sympathy to his parents and family, and I pray that God brings them comfort in this time of grief.'
Serra Geral National Park was closed to visitors on Friday as part of a Rio Grande do Sul Civil Police investigation.
Fortaleza Canyon, which is 4.7 miles long and 6,561ft wide, is 3,795ft above sea level and 14 miles from the city center.
The site features several guarded trails, including the Mirante Trail, which offers a complete view of the canyon.
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