ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA – JUNE, 2025 On June 3, sudden flash floods caused the Mutatá River to swell massively. Strong currents swept away 7 people in the tourist area of Puentiadero, including 23-year-old Vanessa Pérez and her 4-year-old son Nicolás Pérez. Four of them were rescued, but Vanessa and Nicolás were not so lucky. Her body was found on June 5 by local fishermen, floating lifeless on the river. Information about the discovery of her son’s body is not available.
Vanessa Pérez
Vanessa was wearing a swimsuit, suggesting she was swimming in the river. Authorities called this extremely dangerous behavior and urged the public to stay away from rivers during rain and to avoid holding any cultural events nearby.
Even a place where you were swimming just ten minutes ago can turn deadly once it starts raining. Flooded rivers can rise quickly, currents become unpredictable, and hidden underwater debris can sweep people away before they have a chance to react. Experts warn that what seems like a calm river can become a life-threatening hazard in minutes during heavy rain.
