Dom Phillips, a freelancer who has written on Brazil for The Guardian, and Bruno Araujo Pereira, a local specialist whose job it was to defend Brazil’s uncontacted tribes, are both missing.
Dom Phillips, a freelance journalist who has written on Brazil for publications such as The Guardian, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, went missing with Bruno Araujo Pereira, a local expert and former government official whose job it was to safeguard Brazil’s uncontacted tribes.
The couple was last spotted during the weekend in the Amazonas state’s Javari Valley, close to the Peruvian border. The Javari region is home to the world’s most isolated indigenous population.
Mr Pereira had received threats from loggers and miners in the area, according to The Guardian.
Sian Phillips fought back tears in an emotive video appeal shared on social media, pleading with authorities to act quickly in the search for her brother, who has been missing since Sunday.
“My brother Dom and his Brazilian wife have been living in Brazil,” she explained. “He adores the country and is extremely concerned about the Amazon and its inhabitants.
“We knew it was a dangerous place, but Dom was certain that it was feasible to protect the environment and the indigenous people’s way of life.
“He’s a gifted journalist who was working on a book before he vanished yesterday.”
She went on to say: “We are really concerned about him and encourage the Brazilian authorities to do everything possible to search the route he was on.
“If anyone can help increase the number of resources accessible for the search, that would be fantastic, as time is of the essence.
“My other brother and I, who live in the United Kingdom, are really concerned. We adore our brother and want him, as well as his Brazilian advisor Bruno Pereira, to be located.
“Every minute is crucial.”
Melanie Hopkins, the UK’s acting ambassador to Brazil, posted on Twitter: “We are investigating the disappearance of British journalist Dom Phillips, who was in the Amazon with indigenous Bruno Arajo Pereira.
“We’ve made touch with the appropriate authorities and are providing consular assistance to the family. I’m hoping for some good news shortly.”
The UK embassy in Brazil is in contact with local authorities in Brazil, and “are also extending consular help to his family,” according to Vicky Ford MP, the Minister for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
On Monday, the Brazilian Navy despatched a ten-person crew to look for Mr Phillips and Mr Pereira. Brazil’s federal police have also stated that they are looking for the couple.
The British Foreign Office, according to a spokeswoman, is in communication with Brazilian authorities.
