Brazil Bridge Collapse Over Tocantins River Kills Four, Leaves 13 Missing Amid Chemical Spill

Dec 24, 2024, 12:52 PM

A bridge collapse in Brazil has resulted in at least four deaths and 13 people reported missing. The incident occurred on Sunday, December 22, when the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge, connecting the states of Tocantins and Maranhão, collapsed. The collapse involved multiple vehicles, including trucks carrying hazardous materials such as 76 tons of sulfuric acid and 22,000 liters of pesticides, which fell into the Tocantins River, raising concerns about environmental contamination. The Brazilian government has announced plans to allocate over 100 million reais for the reconstruction of the bridge, expected to be completed in 2025. The Department of National Infrastructure of Transport (DNIT) has initiated an inquiry to investigate the causes and responsibilities behind the collapse. The Federal Police are also investigating possible negligence related to the maintenance of the bridge, which had been identified as needing urgent repairs as early as 2020. The Ministry of Public Prosecution has launched an investigation into the environmental impact of the chemical spill on the Tocantins River, which could affect local biodiversity and the health of riverside communities.