A bridge connecting Brazil’s northern and northeastern regions collapsed on Sunday, killing at least one person and causing a tanker truck carrying sulfuric acid to spill its cargo into the Tocantins River.
The incident occurred on the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, a 533-meter-long structure linking Estreito in Maranhão state and Aguiarnópolis in Tocantins state. The central span gave way as vehicles were crossing, plunging two trucks, a car, and a motorcycle into the river. Preliminary reports suggest at least 11 people were involved in the accident, with one confirmed dead and another rescued alive.
Witness Captures Collapse
Elias Junior, a city councilman from Aguiarnópolis, was recording a video urging authorities to address the bridge’s deteriorating condition when the collapse occurred. The video, reportedly showing Junior pointing to a large crack moments before the structure gave way, went viral. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Environmental and Safety Concerns
Rescue operations were halted in the evening after divers identified sulfuric acid leaking from one of the submerged tankers. The Tocantins River, which is over 50 meters (164 feet) deep in the area, now faces potential contamination risks.
The 1960s-era bridge, constructed with reinforced concrete, is part of the BR-226 highway, a vital transportation route connecting Brasília to Belém, a northern city set to host next year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Call for Accountability
Concerns about the bridge’s safety had been raised prior to the collapse, with local officials warning it was no longer capable of handling the heavy trucks that frequently used it. The disaster highlights Brazil’s ongoing struggles with infrastructure maintenance, particularly in critical transit corridors.
As investigations and cleanup efforts continue, authorities face growing pressure to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies on the nation’s aging infrastructure.