Twenty people who were crossing the sea in Barra da Tijuca, in the Southwest Zone of Rio, were rescued by firefighters from the 2nd Maritime Group on this Sunday. The group consisted of 13 men and seven women, aged between 20 and 67, and was heading toward the islands of Tijuca, Alfavaca, Pontuda, and do Meio, some swimming and others using stand up paddle boards.
All were affected by a change in wind direction, which took them far from the planned route. When they were already at a good distance from the shore, being pushed by the wind toward São Conrado, one of the participants managed to call the firefighters by cell phone, dialing number 193.
Nine military personnel from the 2nd Maritime Group were mobilized for the rescue. Using two jet skis, they managed to reach all the victims and bring them safely back to the shore.
