The Bakana hotel boat was almost completely destroyed by fire around noon on Saturday, September 26, while sailing along the Paraguay River between Puerto Guaraní and Fuerte Olimpo, in the department of Alto Paraguay. Passengers and crew were able to leave the vessel without injuries; another boat nearby helped with the rescue and efforts to contain the flames.
The Bakana, associated with the Carmelo Peralta area, was carrying tourists on a fishing trip. The fire spread quickly, causing significant property damage and economic losses. Some people aboard were unable to recover their belongings. The number of people aboard was not reported.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. El Nacional cited initial accounts that a gas cylinder may have exploded in the kitchen area; that theory does not appear in Última Hora’s coverage, which says the circumstances in which the fire started were unknown.
In Ciudad del Este, volunteer firefighters are seeking to raise G. 350 million to bring a new aerial platform from the United States. Their annual campaign will hold a second collection day on October 4, with volunteers at different locations around the city. Transporting the unit would cost about US$ 100,000, under an agreement with U.S. firefighters.
The city has a European-made aerial platform built in 1987 and brought to Ciudad del Este in 2012, with a reach of about 30 meters. The need to replace it became clear during the fire at Ciudad del Este Cathedral on February 9, 2026: the vehicle was damaged and could not be used to fight the flames in the upper parts of the building.
In San Juan Bautista, Company K42 of the Paraguayan Volunteer Firefighters Corps (CBVP) plans to raise G. 160 million to add a fire engine brought from Europe. Company treasurer Inspector Captain Blas Oviedo said about G. 130 million would go toward freight; the remaining G. 30 million would cover non-exempt fees, maintenance, painting and other preparations to put the vehicle into service.
The campaign runs from September 26 to October 10. During that period, firefighters will visit neighborhoods with donation boxes. The fundraising drive will take place on October 9, from 8 a.m. until about 7 p.m., with a gathering at Plaza Boquerón; a festival is planned for October 10 at the same location.