Living and Dying on the River in Brazil | Deadliest Journeys

In Amazonia, a vast region of dense forests and winding rivers, life can be incredibly tough. Here, the Riberinhos, or river dwellers, cross paths with the garimpeiros, gold miners. The former make a living by sailing out in handmade canoes to try and sell jungle products to passengers and crew on passing boats. Unfortunately, these small canoes can be dangerous, and sometimes even children as young as five years old will take on the risk to help feed their families. Tragically, this was the case with Jesse, a fourteen year old who resorted to crime and was killed in the process by a crewmember of a barge he was trying to rob. The recent discovery of a small gold nugget at a place called Eldorado Do Juma led to a surge of gold fever not seen in Brazil for over thirty years. This prompted thousands of people, both experts and amateurs, to rush to the deep jungle in search of wealth. This brought with it shops, restaurants, and even brothels, turning the once untouched jungle into a battleground. Sadly,