On Monday, January 1, 2024, a 33-year-old man was electrocuted after plunging into a man-made waterfall at Brasilia’s Club Bothanic, Brazil, during the New Year’s Eve festivities.
Joao Cunha, a friend of the victim, Marco Túlio Bomtempo, who was present at the scene, recounted that Bomtempo expressed his desire to dive into the artificial waterfall to cool down as he was leaving the party.
Bomtempo removed his shirt, handed it to an acquaintance, and jumped into the waterfall. Cunha, who attempted to follow, also experienced an electric shock but was fortunately rescued by another attendee.
Upon their arrival, emergency services engaged in an extensive effort to resuscitate Bomtempo, lasting nearly 50 minutes. Despite these attempts, Bomtambo was eventually pronounced dead after suffering cardiac arrest. The formal cause of death is under review by the Legal Medical Institute, and an official investigation has been launched by the Civil Police.
In their statement to the local media, Club Bothanic’s owners extended their sympathies to Bomtempo’s family. They clarified that they had only rented out the club for the New Year’s Eve event, hence playing no part in its organization.
The owners also stressed that the waterfall was intended solely as a decorative element and was not designed for swimming. This was the first incident of its kind at the venue, despite hosting numerous events in the past year.