Brazilian authorities are investigating a devastating bridge collapse on Sunday, December 22, 2024, which has led to the tragic deaths of at least four people and left more than thirteen missing. The incident occurred when the 533-meter-long Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge, linking the northeastern cities of Estreito and Aguiarnópolis, suddenly gave way, sending multiple vehicles plunging directly onto the Tocantins River.
According to Agencia Brasil, the accident involved the fall of four trucks, three cars, and three motorbikes, raising serious concerns surrounding water contamination due to hazardous cargo. The trucks were reported to be carrying about 76 tons of sulfuric acid and 25,000 liters of pesticides, prompting local officials to issue warnings against using the river’s water for drinking or bathing.
Emergency services were able to recover the bodies of three women and one man from the wreckage, as confirmed by the Maranhão Fire Department. Meanwhile, search operations for the missing individuals faced significant challenges due to the possible presence of toxic materials in the water. CNN Brazil reported early suspensions of the rescue efforts because of the sulfuric acid contamination.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to the victims' families through social media, stating, "My thoughts are with the families of the victims," and assured government support for local authorities managing this emergency. The government also initiated investigations to determine the cause of the collapse, with the National Department of Transport Infrastructure leading the inquiry.
Reports suggest initial investigations point to structural failures, particularly the bridge's central beam giving way, as the potential cause of this disaster. The bridge, which was originally constructed during the 1960s, served as the main transportation route between Tocantins and Maranhão states. Eyewitness accounts prior to the incident revealed concerns about visible cracks and potential danger, with local residents raising alarms online.
Although there has been significant focus on the safety of the water supply due to the possible leakage of hazardous materials, authorities have launched plans for hiring new engineering firms to design and build the replacement bridge, expected to be completed within the next year.
Fire Brigade Colonel Magnum Coelho stated, "We are waiting for specific institutions to collect and analyze the water so [...] we can go down to retrieve the victims on the bed of the Tocantins river.” This careful step aims to assess the safety of the recovery efforts as rescuers cautiously plan their next moves using boats instead of divers until the water is deemed safe.
Compounding the tragedy are reports of two other deadly transport accidents occurring over the same weekend. The worst highway accident Brazil has seen in 17 years claimed the lives of 41 people when a bus caught fire after crashing, just one day before the bridge incident. On Sunday, another private plane crash resulted in ten fatalities.
This series of tragic events highlights the pressing need for safety reforms and infrastructure developments across Brazil, as the nation grapples with its transportation challenges. The incident raises significant questions about the condition of older infrastructure, as attention shifts to enhanced accountability and preventive measures to avert future tragedies.
