Dutch tourist dies after boat overturns at waterfalls in Brazil

A Dutch tourist has died and another is recovering in hospital after a boat overturned during a safari in Brazil.

The accident at the Iguaçu Falls, in the Iguaçu national park on the border with Argentina, happened on Tuesday afternoon and is being investigated by the Brazilian navy.

Local media said six Dutch nationals were on board the boat, including a family of four with two daughters, as well as two crew members. The man who died was reportedly the boyfriend of one of the daughters.

Investigations will focus on what caused the boat to overturn during the tour of the falls, which mark the boundary between the upper and lower Iguazu river.

Four of the victims, three women and a man, were given treatment at the scene by park staff but did not need to go to hospital. The victim died at Padre Germano Lauck Municipal Hospital in Foz do Iguaçu, where another member of the party is receiving treatment after being rescued by park workers.

The fire department confirmed the cause of death was drowning.

News website G1 reported that the falls were carrying 4.3 million litres of water per second at the time of the accident, nearly three times the normal level.

Tour operator Macuco Safari said in a statement that it regretted the incident and was providing assistance to the victims.