On December 22, 2024, the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, connecting the states of Maranhão and Tocantins, collapsed over the Tocantins River, tragically resulting in at least two confirmed fatalities and eight individuals reported missing. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as vehicles plunged from the structure, prompting immediate search and rescue efforts from local authorities.
The collapse occurred around 14:50, as the central span of the bridge, spanning 533 meters and constructed over six decades ago, suddenly gave way. According to reports from the local Civil Defense, the confirmed deceased include Alana, 25, and Marçon Gley Ferreira, 42. Both fatalities were riders on motorcycles at the time of the incident. Eyewitness accounts and video footage revealed cracks appearing on the bridge just moments before its catastrophic failure.
The harsh consequences of this event extended beyond the fatalities; eight individuals, including children and truck drivers, are reported missing, instigated early concern among the community and rescuers. Emergency services mobilized quickly, but operations faced challenges due to the hazardous materials found among the fallen vehicles. Among the debris included three trucks, one transporting sulfuric acid, raising urgent safety concerns for divers and rescue teams.
Reportedly, as search efforts continued, authorities temporarily halted operations fearing the presence of chemicals leaking from the vehicles posed significant health risks. Resident alerts about the condition of the bridge had been surfacing online for days prior to the disaster, highlighting the structural risks locals had been voicing. A resident's online post asked, "What if this bridge collapses? Can you picture the endangerment?" indicating how aware the community was of the bridge's dilapidated state.
State officials, including the governors of Maranhão and Tocantins, expressed their condolences and commitment to addressing the situation. Carlos Brandão, governor of Maranhão, stated, "We lament the victims of the bridge collapse connecting Maranhão to Tocantins," emphasizing the urgency for comprehensive investigations to ascertain the precise cause of the failure.
The ground situation remains precarious as the river's depth complicates recovery operations – with waters over 30 meters deep and swift currents contributing to the hazards faced by rescue teams. Authorities advised the public to avoid contact with the river following the incident, due to fears of contaminations from the leaked materials.
Multiple agencies, including the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT), are now involved as the search for survivors continues and investigations evolve. Affected residents have been warned to take alternative routes around the site of the collapse, as the bridge remains permanently closed pending thorough assessments by engineering teams.
During this tragedy, the local government is reviewing potential emergency declarations to facilitate quick repairs and bolster safety measures on other vulnerable infrastructures. The bridge, integral for traffic between the two states, had connected Estreito to Aguiarnópolis and served as part of the larger infrastructure corridor linking Belém and Brasília.
Further developments are anticipated as the search for the eight missing individuals progresses, alongside the overarching inquiry aimed at preventing future incidents. Residents across both states eagerly await answers, not just for the loved ones who remain unaccounted for, but also for the broader safety and reliability of their infrastructure.
With the search efforts vulnerable due to water conditions and chemical dangers, combined with the urgency underscored by local officials and citizens, the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge serves as a painful reminder of the necessity for immediate maintenance and integrity checks within the region's transportation framework.
