26 July 2023 , 01:53
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Two brothers have been found "hugging" each other on the ocean floor after the pair drowned at sea.
Gustavo Bernardo Leal, 15, and Gabriel Bernardo Leal, 11, were visiting the beach with their father and 16-year-old cousin at around 10am on July 17.
The day before, the family members had travelled to the coastal town of Maragogi, Alagoas State, Brazil, from their home in Sao Paulo, about 1,585 miles away.
While visiting Peroba beach, the three boys went for a swim but soon got caught up in the changing tide and strong currents.
Their father rushed to the children's aid and managed to help his struggling 16-year-old nephew grab onto a rock.
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However, he was unable to save his two sons and nearly drowned in the process.
The brothers with their mum (Newsflash)The brothers disappeared from view and emergency services were called.
Fire department spokesperson Colonel Clemens said the boys' bodies were found six metres (20 feet) underwater on the seabed after several hours of searching.
They were found in a hugging position each at the bottom of the sea.
Clemens said the brothers "embraced each other in despair", adding that it is "a common practice when people are drowning".
He added: "In situations like this, it's very difficult to stay calm."
The victims' aunt Thiene Ten rio said the boys were sucked into "some kind of whirlpool" when their father lost sight of them.
The youngsters were buried in their father's hometown of Tomar do Geru in Sergipe State on the morning of July 19.