Today in Focus Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance – episode one
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Aug 25, 2025 A gripping tale unfolds as the mysterious disappearance of journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous defender Bruno Pereira is explored. The dense Amazon jungle becomes a backdrop for dangerous illegal activities, shedding light on the risks faced by those protecting Indigenous rights. Search efforts and their implications for local communities reveal a web of tension and urgency. This investigation dives deep into the complexities surrounding safety, journalism, and environmental activism in one of the world's most perilous regions.
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Missed Meeting Sparks Search
- Orlando and Tatako waited at the river port while Bruno Pereira failed to arrive for a planned 8 a.m. meeting.
- After an anxious wait they launched a search when there was still no sign of Bruno or Dom Phillips.
Javari As A Criminal Transit Hub
- The Javari Valley functions as a trafficking corridor where coca from Peru becomes cocaine bound for Europe.
- Its rivers and remoteness make the region both lucrative for criminals and perilous for defenders like Bruno.
Early Panic And Family Calls
- Tom Phillips recounts frantic WhatsApp messages and calls to colleagues and family after Dom disappeared.
- He describes calling Dom's wife Ale and Bruno's wife Beatriz, who initially hoped the men were stranded or hiding.