(Patriot.Buzz) – A shocking bridge collapse in Brazil has unleashed a potential environmental disaster, leaving four dead and over ten people missing.
Watch the video below.
The 533-meter Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge, which spans the Tocantins River and connects the states of Maranhão and Tocantins, suddenly gave way, plunging vehicles into the waters below.
Among the casualties were trucks carrying dangerous chemicals, raising alarms about potential widespread contamination.
In a chilling twist, a video emerged showing a local city councilman pointing out structural issues moments before the collapse.
The chemical spill from the collapsed vehicles has complicated rescue efforts, forcing authorities to pause operations due to the presence of hazardous materials in the river.
According to Brazilian water regulator ANA, three trucks carrying 76 metric tons of sulphuric acid and 25,000 liters of pesticides plummeted into the Tocantins, severely threatening local communities and ecosystems.
“Even though we still don’t have final analysis results on pollution, the Environment Ministry identified that the water pH was normal,” Maranhão state Governor Carlos Brandao stated.
Despite Brazilian officials’ reassurances, the incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of lax infrastructure maintenance and environmental safeguards.
The ANA is now scrambling to monitor potential water contamination, collecting samples to assess the full extent of the damage.
Magnum Coelho, a colonel at the local firefighters’ office, told journalists that sending divers for rescue operations is dangerous because the Tocantins River could be contaminated by sulfuric acid from one of the missing trucks that fell from the bridge.
The collapse of the Brazil Bridge is just one of several tragic incidents that occurred in the country over the weekend.
A separate bus and truck crash in Minas Gerais claimed 41 lives, while a small plane crash in Gramado resulted in at least 10 deaths.
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