A hiker has died after falling nearly 500 feet from a cliff in Marica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while attempting to pose for a photograph. The incident occurred on Sunday on the Pedra do Macaco trail.
Caio Arrabal, 44, was climbing on a rock formation at the summit when he lost his balance. Horrifying footage captured by a member of his tour group shows Arrabal positioning himself in a narrow gap on the rock. As he began to descend backward and then turn to face forward, a woman in the group warned him to be careful, moments before the fatal fall.
Onlookers screamed as Arrabal lost his footing and plunged approximately 492 feet. Emergency crews were alerted around 11:40 a.m. and initiated a search operation. Firefighters and civil defense teams worked for about four hours to reach the location, utilizing rope systems and aerial support due to the difficult access. Rescue instructor Matheus Moura, who assisted in the operation, described the recovery as complex due to dense forest and steep terrain. He noted that Arrabal had gone down the wrong side of the rock before the fall and was deceased when located.
Arrabal was reportedly guiding visitors from Araruama along the hiking route and it was his first time on the trail. Local officials have stated that the trail lacks directional or warning signs.
This incident marks the second fatal hiking accident in Marica in less than two weeks. On June 14, Rosemary Garcia, 59, fell from a cliff at a zip-line park at the Spar Cave. Garcia was participating in a group activity when she followed a short, steep trail towards a rappelling point inside the cave. Witnesses reported that she was wearing safety gear, including a helmet and gloves. According to police accounts, the fall occurred as Garcia was applying insect repellent and lifted one leg, causing her to lose her balance on the incline. She reportedly fell about 98 feet. A guide attempted to grab her but was unable to prevent the fall due to the steep terrain.
