Four Dead, Many Missing As Bridge Collapses In Brazil

• Bridge collapse in northern Brazil sends vehicles, including trucks with hazardous chemicals, into the Tocantins River.
• Four confirmed dead, over 10 missing; rescue operations continue amid contamination concerns.
• Residents warned against using river water as authorities assess potential chemical leakage.

Concerns over water contamination have arisen after a bridge collapse in northern Brazil sent trucks carrying pesticides and sulfuric acid plummeting into the Tocantins River.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, claiming at least four lives, with over 10 people still missing.

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The central span of the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge, which connects the states of Tocantins and Maranhão, gave way, sending eight vehicles into the river, including three trucks loaded with hazardous chemicals.

Authorities are assessing potential chemical leakage, and diving operations have been paused for safety reasons.

Dramatic footage captured by local councillor Elias Junior, who had been at the site earlier to highlight visible cracks in the structure, shows the moment the bridge began to collapse.

Junior, who said he was “in shock,” had not anticipated the bridge would fail so suddenly.

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Residents of Estreito and Aguiarnópolis, cities on either side of the river, have been warned against using river water. Rescue operations are ongoing, primarily from boats.

Four bodies, including an 11-year-old girl and a female truck driver, have been recovered, and one man was rescued alive on Sunday.

The 1,600-foot-long bridge, constructed in the 1960s, is a vital connection between the two states. The collapse highlights infrastructure concerns in the region and raises urgent environmental and safety questions.

Click here to watch our video of the week:

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