The sinking of the Myriam Adel on 10 February 1978 remains the most devastating maritime disaster in the history of Paraguay. Even decades later, the name of the vessel evokes a sense of profound national mourning. Often dub the “Paraguayan Titanic,” this tragedy serves as a sombre reminder of the unpredictable power of the Paraguay River.
The fatal voyage of the Myriam Adela
On the evening of 10 February, the Myriam Adela, a combined passenger and cargo vessel, was navigating its routine route between Asunción and Vallemí in the Concepción Department. As it reached the area near Puerto Kemmerich, roughly 80 kilometres north of the city of Concepción, it was intercepted by a sudden and ferocious tropical storm.
The ship was severely compromised before the storm even struck. Reports from the time indicate the vessel was heavily overloaded. The boat was carrying a massive quantity of construction materials alongside its passengers. When the gale-force winds hit, the top-heavy boat capsized almost instantly.
The scale of the Myriam Adela disaster was staggering: 113 people lost their lives in the dark, churning waters. Only 47 individuals managed to reach the shore or were plucked from the river. At the time, regulations were lax; there was no official passenger list. Families spent days in agony waiting to confirm if their loved ones were aboard.
A tale of extraordinary bravery
Amidst the horror of the Myriam Adela sinking, a story of incredible heroism emerged. Eligio González Aponte, a local labourer standing on the riverbank, witnessed the ship go down. Without a second thought for his own safety, he launched a small wooden canoe into the violent storm. González made several perilous trips back and forth into the heart of the wreckage, pulling survivors from the water. He is credited with saving 25 lives single-handedly. González lived to the age of 90, passing away in early 2025, leaving behind a legacy of selfless courage.
In late 2025, the Congress of Paraguay was preparing to introduce a draft declaration to posthumously name Don Eligio González an Illustrious Citizen of the Republic of Paraguay. As per the Congress, “Article 1 formally declares Eligio González Aponte an Illustrious Citizen of the Republic of Paraguay, post mortem, in recognition of his heroism during the shipwreck. Article 2 mandates the presentation of a commemorative plaque to his family at the start of an ordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies, as a testimony of gratitude and a tribute to his memory.”
Legacy and safety
The Myriam Adela tragedy forced a reckoning regarding river safety in South America. It highlighted the lethal dangers of overloading vessels and the necessity of accurate passenger manifests. For many in Paraguay, the name of the ship is synonymous with a loss of innocence and the beginning of stricter maritime oversight.
Even today, as modern vessels traverse the Paraguay River, the story of the Myriam Adela serves as a permanent memorial to those lost and a tribute to the man who rowed against the storm to save his countrymen.
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