A tragic accident took the life of Dutch visitor Mark Lensink, aged 26, on the afternoon of July 29, 2026, during a boat trip run by the company Macuco Safari. The fatality occurred in the turbulent waters of the Iguaçu Falls, located in the Paraná city of Foz do Iguaçu, at the exact moment the young man was enjoying the famous tourist attraction alongside his relatives.
Trajectory of young Europeans and work in the construction sector
Born in the municipality of Rijssen, located in the province of Overijssel, in the eastern region of the Netherlands, the boy was enjoying a vacation in Brazilian territory accompanied by his family. In his profiles on social networks focused on the job market, he highlighted his professional work at Lensink Bouwservice, a family company dedicated to the construction segment in his country of origin.
In addition to his dedication to the family business, the foreigner had an academic degree from Saxion University of Applied Sciences, a renowned Dutch higher education institution. The tragic outcome of his trip mobilized a large contingent of rescuers at the border and is now mobilizing joint investigative efforts led by the Civil Police of the State of Paraná and agents from the Brazilian Navy, who have the jurisdiction to monitor navigation in border rivers.
On the same topic: Young Dutch tourist loses his life after tour boat capsizes at Iguazu Falls
Shipwreck dynamics in the rapids of Iguaçu National Park
The tourist was on board a vessel operated by the concessionaire Macuco Safari, carrying out a private itinerary, which was attended by five family members, in addition to the pilot and a navigation assistant. The dynamics of this traditional adventure tour consist of climbing the strong currents of the Iguaçu River to get very close to the waterfalls, providing an extreme experience that attracts thousands of visitors annually.
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Official data released by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) indicates that the boat capsized around midday, in a section located within the federal environmental preservation area. With the sudden capsizing of the twin-engine boat, all the occupants were thrown into the rough waters, being rescued in the first moments after the fall.
The complex task force set up for the rescue involved employees of the tour operator itself, military personnel from the Fire Department, rescuers from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu), as well as teams from the Brazilian Navy and inspectors from ICMBio.
Preliminary reports from the Fire Department indicate that the victim suffered severe drowning, quickly progressing to cardiorespiratory arrest. The first resuscitation procedures took place on the premises of the ecological reserve, before the young man was transferred by river to Port Kattamaram, from where an ambulance took him in critical condition to the Padre Germano Lauck Municipal Hospital, where his death was certified by doctors after exhaustive rescue maneuvers.
More on this story: Dutch tourist dies after boat capsizes during trip to Iguazu Falls
Health status of other relatives involved in the water incident
The tragedy was not limited to the fatal loss of the young Dutchman, as three other members of the family group also required urgent hospital assistance as a result of the sinking.
The medical bulletin detailed the clinical situation of each of the injured after the rescue in the border rapids:
- A 49-year-old man had to be hospitalized for clinical monitoring, and his health was considered stable.
- A 48-year-old woman suffered a fracture in one of her feet during the impact with rocks in the river.
- A third relative underwent a series of precautionary tests and was discharged shortly thereafter.
Inquiries investigate responsibilities and failures in tourist operations
Agents from the Paraná Civil Police opened a formal investigation with the aim of mapping all the circumstances that led to the disaster on the river. The scope of the investigations includes the collection of statements from the surviving victims, the interrogation of crew members and agency employees, as well as the detailed analysis of the expert reports that will be issued by the Scientific Police.
In parallel, the River Captaincy of the Paraná River, a body subordinate to the Brazilian Navy, opened an Administrative Inquiry into Navigation Accidents and Facts (IAFN). This technical procedure aims to determine exactly what caused the boat to capsize and point out possible negligence or malpractice in driving the passenger vessel.
Learn more: Dutch tourist Mark Lensink dies after boat accident at Iguazu Falls
Temporary suspension of boat activities in the national park
As an immediate precautionary action to guarantee the integrity of new visitors during the initial phase of investigations, ICMBio management determined the total stoppage of Macuco Safari’s operations for a period of three days, a measure that came into force on July 30, 2026.
The federal environmental agency made a point of highlighting that the concessionary company operated regularly, having all the permits and certifications required to explore the activity, which is among the most sought after by those traveling to the trinational border. The temporary blocking of sidewalks serves exclusively to ensure stricter safety protocols and allow experts to assess the accident site without external interference.