Deadly bridge collapse: Truck carrying acid plunges into river
A truck transporting sulfuric acid fell into the Tocantins River following the collapse of a bridge in Brazil on Sunday, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
At least two individuals have lost their lives, and several others remain unaccounted for following a tragic incident in Brazil.
On Sunday, a truck transporting sulfuric acid fell into the Tocantins River when a bridge collapsed. This disaster resulted in a confirmed death toll of at least two, with multiple individuals still reported missing as rescue teams were compelled to suspend operations due to a chemical leak.
The 550-meter-long bridge, linking Estreito in Maranhao and Aguiarnopolis in Tocantins, collapsed while various vehicles, including several cars and two trucks, were traversing it. One of the trucks was confirmed to be transporting sulfuric acid, while the cargo of the other vehicle is still unidentified.
Local sources state that the victims include a 25-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man, with a minimum of eight individuals deemed missing.
In the aftermath of the incident, rescue efforts were temporarily halted to address safety concerns and prevent environmental harm from the leaking acid. As night fell, search operations resumed utilizing boats rather than divers from the Military Firefighters Corps. Authorities are diligently monitoring the situation and prioritizing the safety of everyone involved.
The Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, which has been in existence for over 60 years, had raised concerns regarding its structural integrity for some time. A local deputy recorded video footage highlighting its deteriorating state, inadvertently capturing the moment of its collapse.
The video features the deputy pointing out a significant crack in the bridge's structure just before it gave way, prompting him to flee in haste.
The precise cause of the collapse is currently under investigation, but initial reports indicate that structural failure may have occurred due to the simultaneous crossing of several heavy trucks. The National Department of Transport Infrastructure reported that the central section of the 533-meter-long bridge fell, leading to multiple vehicles plunging into the river, which exceeds a depth of 50 meters.
This bridge was a vital connector on the BR-226 highway, which serves as a route from Brasília to Belém, where the United Nations Climate Change Conference is set to take place next year. The incident has led to a complete closure of the road, with DNIT providing alternative routes for travelers.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
On Sunday, a truck transporting sulfuric acid fell into the Tocantins River when a bridge collapsed. This disaster resulted in a confirmed death toll of at least two, with multiple individuals still reported missing as rescue teams were compelled to suspend operations due to a chemical leak.
The 550-meter-long bridge, linking Estreito in Maranhao and Aguiarnopolis in Tocantins, collapsed while various vehicles, including several cars and two trucks, were traversing it. One of the trucks was confirmed to be transporting sulfuric acid, while the cargo of the other vehicle is still unidentified.
Local sources state that the victims include a 25-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man, with a minimum of eight individuals deemed missing.
In the aftermath of the incident, rescue efforts were temporarily halted to address safety concerns and prevent environmental harm from the leaking acid. As night fell, search operations resumed utilizing boats rather than divers from the Military Firefighters Corps. Authorities are diligently monitoring the situation and prioritizing the safety of everyone involved.
The Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, which has been in existence for over 60 years, had raised concerns regarding its structural integrity for some time. A local deputy recorded video footage highlighting its deteriorating state, inadvertently capturing the moment of its collapse.
The video features the deputy pointing out a significant crack in the bridge's structure just before it gave way, prompting him to flee in haste.
The precise cause of the collapse is currently under investigation, but initial reports indicate that structural failure may have occurred due to the simultaneous crossing of several heavy trucks. The National Department of Transport Infrastructure reported that the central section of the 533-meter-long bridge fell, leading to multiple vehicles plunging into the river, which exceeds a depth of 50 meters.
This bridge was a vital connector on the BR-226 highway, which serves as a route from Brasília to Belém, where the United Nations Climate Change Conference is set to take place next year. The incident has led to a complete closure of the road, with DNIT providing alternative routes for travelers.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
