Rescuers scour mountains for balloons priest

Rescue crews scoured densely forested mountains in southern Brazil today for signs of a Roman Catholic priest who vanished over the Atlantic Ocean with a cluster of helium balloons.

The Rev Adelir Antonio de Carli has been missing since Sunday, when he lifted off from the port city of Paranagua strapped to 1,000 balloons.

Jose Carlos Bom, a member of MR de Carli’s support team, said rescuers were searching mountains off the coastline of Santa Catarina state.

He said he doubted the 41-year-old priest would be found alive in the ocean, despite a navy search.

“I don’t think he could have survived so many days in the water,” Mr Bom said. “On land his survival chances are much better because he has taken jungle survival courses. This is why rescue workers are now concentrating most on their search on the mountains.”

Brazil’s air force suspended its search for Mr De Carli yesterday, although the family used a private plane to continue a search from the air.

“We spotted some 12 balloons floating intact about 100km (60 miles) from the coast, but we saw no sign of him,” said Fire Department commander Johnny Coelho.

The priest’s parish said he had been trying to raise money to build a rest stop and worship centre for truckers.