A bridge connecting the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil collapsed on Sunday, killing at least one person and spilling sulfuric acid into the Tocantins River. The incident occurred on the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, which links the cities of Estreito in Maranhão state and Aguiarnópolis in Tocantins state. The 533-meter (0.3-mile) bridge’s central span gave way in the afternoon while several vehicles, including a tanker truck, were crossing.
According to officials from the National Department of Transport Infrastructure, the tanker carrying sulfuric acid plunged into the river following the collapse. The fire department confirmed one fatality, with another person rescued alive. Preliminary reports indicated that at least 11 people were involved in the incident, with two trucks, a car, and a motorcycle falling into the river, which is more than 50 meters deep.
In a dramatic moment, Aguiarnópolis city councilman Elias Junior was recording a video calling for repairs to the bridge, which he believed could no longer handle the weight of heavy trucks. As he pointed out a large crack on the bridge, it collapsed in front of him, prompting him to flee for safety. The video has not been independently verified, and Junior did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rescue operations were temporarily halted by early evening when divers identified that one of the submerged tankers was leaking sulfuric acid, posing further danger to the area. The bridge, which was inaugurated in 1960, is part of the BR-226 highway and connects Brasília, the federal capital, to Belém, a northern city set to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference next year. The collapse has raised serious concerns about the safety of the structure, which was built with reinforced concrete.
The tragedy continues to unfold, with authorities investigating the cause of the collapse and assessing the environmental impact of the sulfuric acid spill.
(With Reuters Inputs)