A four-year-old girl suffered a terrifying death when she drowned in a swimming pool after her mother left her for just a few minutes.

The tragic incident took place on a rural property in Sao Jose das Laranjeiras – a district of Maracai, south-eastern Brazil – on Saturday, 10th December.

The girl’s devastated mother, Gisele Santos Oliveira, told local media that they had been at the property with her colleagues and other children.

She said she had been taking her seven-year-old son to the bathroom when little Sarah got into the pool and drowned.

Sarah was taken to hospital in Maracai, but she tragically passed away. Civil Police will investigate her untimely passing.

She was buried in Sao Jose das Laranjeiras on Sunday morning.

Gisele took to social media to pay tribute to her late daughter, writing: “You were everything to us. Your departure was a shock, I still can’t accept it happened.

“You were such a beautiful girl inside and out. Always affectionate with everyone. I know I will never again sense your scent, your affection, your love, but life must go on.

“I will always pray for you, my daughter, and wish that you are at peace.”