A bridge connecting two states in Brazil’s northern and northeastern areas collapsed on Sunday as automobiles had been crossing, killing at the least one individual and spilling sulfuric acid into the Tocantins River.
The Nationwide Division of Transport Infrastructure stated the central span of the 533-meter (0.3-mile) bridge, linking the cities of Estreito in Maranhao state and Aguiarnopolis in Tocantins state, gave manner within the afternoon. A tanker truck carrying the acid plunged into the water, officers stated.
In response to the fireplace division, one individual has been confirmed useless and one other was rescued alive.
Aguiarnopolis metropolis councilman Elias Junior was recording a video asking authorities to repair issues with the bridge, which he stated may now not deal with the heavy vans passing over it. As he pointed to a big crack on the shoulder of the bridge, the construction collapsed in entrance of him, inflicting him to run again. Reuters couldn’t instantly independently confirm the video. Junior didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Preliminary estimates point out at the least 11 individuals had been concerned within the accident with two vans, a automobile, and a motorbike falling into the river, which is greater than 50 meters (164 toes) deep.
By early night, rescue divers halted their efforts after figuring out that one submerged tanker was leaking sulfuric acid, stated the fireplace division from Tocantins.
The Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, inaugurated in 1960, was constructed with bolstered concrete and is a part of the BR-226 freeway, connecting the federal capital Brasilia to Belem, a northern metropolis set to host the United Nations Local weather Change Convention subsequent yr.
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