# Death of Virreira brothers in Santa Cruz > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-virreira-brothers-in-santa-cruz > Updated: 2026-10-30T00:46:29.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. Two brothers, aged 10 and 12, died after being swept away by the current of the Gallegos River in the Palermo Aike area of Santa Cruz, Argentina. The children, identified as José and Leo Virreira, disappeared on October 25 while playing near a sector known as La Toma. A five day search operation involving more than 120 personnel, including police, firefighters, specialized divers, and drones, resulted in the recovery of the bodies. The first body was located via helicopter surveillance, while the second was found near a bridge. The recovery effort included the Santa Cruz Police, Firefighters, Argentine Naval Prefecture, National Gendarmerie, and Civil Protection. Following the recovery, the government of Santa Cruz decreed two days of provincial mourning. Under official resolution, national and provincial flags are to be flown at half-mast on all public buildings to honor the children. Governor Claudio Vidal and Security Minister Pedro Prodromos expressed condolences to the Virreira family. The children were members of the Club Talleres de Río Gallegos, where they had recently won championships in their respective categories. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-30: Santa Cruz declares two days of mourning for Virreira brothers Santa Cruz has declared two days of provincial mourning after the bodies of brothers José and Leo Virreira were found following a five-day search in the Palermo Aike region. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santa-cruz-declares-two-days-of-mourning-for-virreira-brothers ### 2026-10-28: Santa Cruz authorities recover bodies of two brothers swept away by river Authorities in Santa Cruz, Argentina, have recovered the bodies of two brothers, aged 10 and 12, who were swept away by the Gallegos River in Palermo Aike after a five-day search operation. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/search-continues-for-two-missing-children-in-santa-cruz --- Cite as: Death of Virreira brothers in Santa Cruz. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-virreira-brothers-in-santa-cruz