Bridge Collapse in Northern Brazil Leaves 10 Dead and 7 Missing
A devastating bridge collapse occurred on Sunday in northern Brazil, resulting in a significant loss of life and ongoing search efforts. The incident took place on the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge, a crucial connection between the states of Maranhao and Tocantins.
Search and Rescue Operations
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to locate missing individuals, with the Navy reporting the discovery of two bodies – one in the Tocantins River on Friday and another six kilometers from the accident site on Thursday night. These findings bring the confirmed death toll to 10, with seven people still missing.
Causes of the Collapse Unknown
The central beam of the bridge, which was built in the 1960s and spans approximately 500 meters, collapsed without warning. The cause of the incident is currently unknown, and authorities are working to determine the factors that contributed to the disaster.
Environmental Concerns
Three trucks that fell into the river during the collapse were carrying hazardous materials, including 22,000 liters of pesticides and 76 tons of sulfuric acid. Although the tankers were reported to be intact, authorities initially warned of the risk of contamination. However, a supervisor from the Environment Secretariat of the state of Maranhao has since stated that the risk of contamination and environmental impact is “weak,” ruling out the worst-case scenario of a sulfuric acid spill.
Ongoing Search Efforts
More than 70 rescuers continue to search for the missing individuals, utilizing specialized equipment such as a hyperbaric chamber to dive to depths greater than 30 meters. The search efforts are ongoing, with the Navy working to locate the remaining missing persons.