Group of 20 people rescued from the sea after strong wind hits crossing participants in Barra da Tijuca

Firefighters from the 2nd Maritime Group rescued 20 people who were making a crossing at sea this Sunday, in Barra da Tijuca, in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The group, composed of 13 men and seven women aged between 20 and 67, was making the crossing swimming or using stand up paddle boards heading to the islands Tijuca, Alfavaca, Pontuda and do Meio. A change in wind direction hit the participants and drove them away from the planned route, pushing them toward São Conrado. When they were already at a good distance from the sand, one of the participants managed to call the firefighters at emergency number 193 asking for help. Nine military personnel from the 2nd Maritime Group were mobilized, who used two jet skis to rescue all members of the group. All were taken back to the sand and evaluated by the Fire Department teams. According to the Fire Department, all 20 people were in good condition and did not require referral for medical care.