The death toll has risen to four due to the collapse of a bridge between two states in northeastern Brazil. However, the fate of several people remains unknown. The search operation takes place in difficult conditions, because as a result of a natural disaster, tankers containing thousands of liters of poisonous drugs and several dozen tons of sulfuric acid fell into the Tocantins River.
On Sunday, the central part of the Jucelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, which connects the states of Tocantin and Maranhao in Brazil, collapsed. According to Brazilian media, as a result of the natural disaster, at least eight cars fell into the water. Local authorities reported four deaths (three women and one man) and a dozen or more missing. Search and rescue operations have been going on at the scene for several days, but it is taking place in extremely difficult conditions.
The vehicles that fell into the Tocantin River included tankers containing approximately 25,000 liters of pesticide and 76 tons of sulfuric acid. Substances that were extremely harmful to the environment were dumped into the water, which was considered a threat to divers.
“Our priority is to find the bodies in the river so that we can return them to their families,” said Cleder Jacom, the minister of environment and tourism in Agiarnopolis.
Concerns about pollution and economic impact
The authorities of the region have banned drinking water from the Tocantins River and bathing in it. Services fear that the release of dangerous substances can lead to a local environmental disaster. Sulfuric acid is one of the strongest acids, and contact with it causes deep burns.
Residents are also afraid of the economic consequences of the natural disaster. The bridge that connects the cities of Estreito and Agiarnopolis played a major role in the transportation of many goods, including food, and was the main way of work for many people.
– Products will become more expensive. Now we only have boat transportation left, says a local taxi driver.
Investigation
The Brazilian service announced the start of an investigation to explain the cause of the accident. The Tocantins River bridge, built in the 1960s, was in a bad condition for a long time. This was noticed, in particular, by residents. According to the Department of National Transport Infrastructure (DNIT), the collapse was caused by the collapse of the central part of the bridge.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to the families of the victims on Monday and promised to help search for the missing. The Brazilian government has also committed to rebuilding the bridge, which is expected to be ready within a year.
Main photo source: Reuters
