Young Dutch tourist loses his life after tour boat capsizes at Iguazu Falls
A family trip to one of the most visited postcards in Brazil ended in tragedy on July 29, 2026. Young Dutchman Mark Lensink, aged 26, lost his life after the Macuco Safari attraction boat capsized in the choppy waters of the Iguaçu Falls, located in the Paraná city of Foz do Iguaçu. The European visitor was enjoying his vacation with his relatives when the fatality interrupted his tourist itinerary.
The trajectory of the young European and his connection with the family business
A resident of the small town of Rijssen, located in the province of Overijssel, in the east of the Netherlands, the boy was exploring the beauty of Brazilian territory on a family trip. In his professional profiles on the internet, he highlighted his work in the construction sector, being an active member of the company belonging to his own relatives, Lensink Bouwservice.
In addition to his dedication to work in the construction industry, the foreigner had an academic degree from the Saxion University of Applied Sciences, a higher education institution also located in his country of origin. The boy’s early loss mobilized a vast rescue apparatus on the border and now raises questions that are being meticulously investigated by the Civil Police of the State of Paraná, together with the Brazilian Navy.
Shipwreck dynamics in the rapids of the National Park
At the time of the disaster, the group occupied a twin-engine inflatable boat from the concessionary company Macuco Safari, traveling a privately contracted route. On board the vessel were the tourist, five other members of his family, as well as an experienced pilot and his navigation assistant. The traditional itinerary for this attraction requires boats to face the strong currents of the Iguaçu River to get very close to the waterfalls, which makes the activity exciting, but dependent on precise maneuvers and favorable weather conditions.
Official data released by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) indicates that the boat capsized around midday, in a stretch of rapids within the limits of the Iguaçu National Park. The impact of the tip threw all occupants into the region’s turbulent waters, requiring an immediate response from rescue teams working in the environmental complex.
The task force set up to remove the victims from the water involved employees of the tour operator itself, military personnel from the Fire Department, rescuers from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu), as well as agents from the Navy and ICMBio. Rescue in rapids is considered highly complex due to the force of the water and the presence of submerged rocks.
According to firefighters, the Dutchman ended up submerged and suffered a serious drowning, which quickly progressed to a cardiorespiratory arrest. He received resuscitation maneuvers still in the forest area, was taken by boat to Port Kattamaram and then transferred by ambulance to the Padre Germano Lauck Municipal Hospital, where his death was unfortunately certified by the doctors on duty.
Health status of other relatives rescued alive
The accident in the waters of the Iguaçu River not only left one fatal victim, but also caused injuries and trauma to other members of the family group who participated in the excursion. The rescue had to send some of the survivors to immediate hospital care in the Foz do Iguaçu health network. The clinical picture of the other rescued passengers was detailed by the medical teams as follows:
- A 49-year-old man had to be hospitalized and remains under strict medical observation, with his health considered stable.
- A 48-year-old woman suffered the impact of the fall and was diagnosed with a fracture in her foot, receiving the necessary orthopedic care.
- A third family member underwent a complete clinical evaluation at the health unit and, after showing no serious injuries, was discharged.
Investigations seek answers to navigation failure
To understand exactly what caused the instability and the consequent overturning of the boat, the Paraná Civil Police launched an official investigation. Investigators have already begun collecting statements from survivors, the victim’s relatives and employees of the tourism company that operated the vessel. This human material will be cross-referenced with the technical reports that are being prepared by Scientific Police experts, seeking to reconstruct the final seconds before the sinking.
In parallel to the criminal investigation, the Brazilian Navy opened an Administrative Inquiry into Navigation Accidents and Facts (IAFN). The purpose of this military procedure is to evaluate the conditions of the river at the time of the accident, the state of conservation of the boat and the conduct of the crew, determining whether there was any negligence, recklessness or mechanical failure that justifies holding those involved in the tragedy responsible.
Temporary suspension of tourist activities in the reserve
Given the severity of the episode, ICMBio took the decision to preventively halt all Macuco Safari boat operations for a period of three days, with the measure coming into force from July 30, 2026. This forced pause has as main objective to guarantee the safety of future visitors and allow authorities to inspect the equipment without interfering with the normal flow of tourists at the site.
The federal environmental agency made a point of highlighting that the concession company operated regularly, having all the licenses and certifications required to commercially explore the tour, which is one of the most popular among those visiting the Iguaçu Falls. The temporary suspension reflects standard protocol in fatal incidents, ensuring that the environment undergoes a complete review before welcoming the international public again.
