Brazil Soap Opera Star Drowns In Off-set Accident
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published September 17, 2016 | 01:50 AM
SAO PAULO, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -17th Sept,2016) : Brazilians on Friday mourned the death of soap opera star Domingos Montagner, who drowned in a river where his series had been filming and where his character narrowly escaped death in a recent episode.
Montagner, 54 and at the height of his career, was on a break from filming the hit series "Velho Chico" (Old Chico) in northeast Brazil when he went for a swim Thursday in the Sao Francisco River with co-star Camila Pitanga, according to the Globo media group, which broadcasts the show.
The pair was swept up in a strong current. Pitanga managed to grab onto a rock, but she was unable to keep hold of Montagner. She cried out for help, but some locals apparently did not pay attention because they supposed filming was under way.
Montagner's body was found several hours later 30 meters (100 feet) underwater trapped among the riverbed rocks, the Globo group's flagship newspaper reported. "Velho Chico," one of Brazil's most-watched "novelas" -- or primetime soaps -- tells the story of the power struggles between two families of landholders in the turbulent 1970s.
Tragically, Montagner played the role of Santo, who disappeared in the same river in a recent episode.
In the series, he was rescued by an indigenous tribe. Montagner's death triggered an outpouring of shock and sympathy in Brazil, where millions of viewers watch novelas each day.
The soap star's death might have been avoided: the riverside beach where the co-stars went swimming used to have "not safe for swimming" signs and lifeguards until 45 days ago, local media reported.
A public works project at the beach put up kiosks, a restaurant, playground and soccer area, but took down warning signs and fired its last lifeguards. The actor, who was married with three children and started out in circus performing, made a relatively late start in television in 2008.
But he became massively popular nationwide thanks to his roles in a number of Globo network "novelas." Media giant Globo produces more than 2,500 hours a year of programming -- a world record.
Its soap operas and other series have been translated into more than 30 languages, and shown in more than 100 countries, company data show. Filming in northeast Brazil has suspended and Globo sent in planes to fly out the production teams. The fate of Montagner's last production at Globo was not immediately known.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
DP World ILT20 Season 3 to begin from 11 January 2025
Sharjah Public Library unveils interactive arts and crafts journey at SCRF 2024
"Wonder Walks” show makes an enthralling debut at SCRF 2024
Remarkable Young Minds Light up the Stage at Sharjah Children’s Reading
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 12 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 12 May 2024
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's visit schedule being discussed
Govt decides to procurement wheat from farmers
Deputy PM to pay 4-day visit to China from Monday
Pakistan seeks foreign investments in diverse sectors: PM
Digital transformation key priority for govt to improve tax collection: Aurangze ..
President-designate of COP29 for collective efforts to deal with climate change ..
More Stories From World
-
Martin stays strong to win thrilling French MotoGP
25 minutes ago -
Nepali, British climbers extend Everest records
45 minutes ago -
Football: English Championship play-off semi-final results
45 minutes ago -
Fighting rages across Gaza as death toll tops 35,000
55 minutes ago -
At least 34 killed in Indonesia floods, 16 missing
55 minutes ago -
Football: Italian Serie A results
1 hour ago
-
Football: Italian Serie A table
1 hour ago -
First patient to get gene-edited pig kidney transplant dies
1 hour ago -
Ex-bike champ Rossi relishes 'honour' of taking on Le Mans on four wheels
1 hour ago -
Russia claims more advances in Ukraine's Kharkiv region
1 hour ago -
Full-scale Rafah offensive 'cannot take place': UN rights chief
1 hour ago -
Ishaq Dar to arrive in Beijing on Monday on official visit
2 hours ago