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Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge collapse

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Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge collapse
Aftermath of the bridge collapse
Date22 December 2024
Timec. 2:50 p.m. (UTC−3)
LocationBetween Estreito, Maranhão, and Aguiarnópolis, Tocantins, Brazil
Coordinates6°33′36.15″S 47°27′34.9″W / 6.5600417°S 47.459694°W / -6.5600417; -47.459694
TypeStructural failure (bridge)
Deaths8
Missing9

On 22 December 2024, the central portion of the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge [pt], crossing the Tocantins River as part of the BR-226 and BR-010 highway and connecting the municipalities of Estreito, Maranhão, and Aguiarnópolis, Tocantins, Brazil, collapsed, killing at least 8 people and leaving at least 9 others missing.

Background

The bridge in 2008

The bridge, inaugurated in January 1961 and named after Brazil's president at that month, Juscelino Kubitschek, was 533 meters long and has a free span of 140 meters, a record at the time. It integrated the Belém–Brasília Highway, an important route for cargo transport within the country. In 2020, the National Department of Transport Infrastructure [pt] (DNIT), a federal government agency, had already reported several problems, such as cracks and inclinations in the pillars. In May 2024, the agency itself opened a process to hire companies and reform the bridge, which ended up not going ahead. A video filmed by a local councillor who went to the bridge to show the cracks captured the beginning of the collapse.

Collapse

The collapse occurred on 22 December 2024, around 2:50 pm. local time. Ten vehicles fell into the river. In addition to the fatalities, a truck transporting about 76 tonnes (75 long tons; 84 short tons) of sulfuric acid and 22-25,000 litres (5,500 imp gal; 6,600 US gal) of pesticide also plungedinto the water, causing concerns about the risk of contamination of the Tocantins River. The neighboring Estreito-Aguiarnópolis Railway Bridge [pt] was not affected by the failure.

Aftermath

Minister of Transport, governors of Maranhão and Tocantins, Renan Filho, Carlos Brandão and Wanderlei Barbosa, during a press conference about the bridge collapse.

Reactions

Brazilian president Luís Inácio Lula da Silva expressed condolences to the victims' families and stated on his social media: "I follow with great attention the unfoldings of the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitscheck de Oliveira Bridge, between the states of Tocantins and Maranhão."

He also said he sent the minister of transport Renan Filho to monitor and provide support in the situation. The minister, together with the governor of Tocantins Wanderlei Barbosa, announced the investment of more than R$100 million for the immediate reconstruction of the bridge.

The governor of Maranhão Carlos Brandão assured the public that there is no risk of contamination of the river waters.

Victim recovery efforts

By 27 December, nine bodies were found by Brazilian authorities after submerged searches. According to the Brazilian Navy, At least eight people were reported to be missing. Caco Graça, a supervisor at Maranhão's environment secretariat, said the risk of a spill has been minimized after the load containing the toxic substances was found intact.

References

  1. "Brazil probes risks from chemicals after tankers plunged off collapsed bridge". Reuters. 24 December 2024.
  2. ^ Leão, Luciana (24 December 2024). "EXCLUSIVO: Uma história por trás da construção da Ponte Juscelino Kubitschek". Revista Nordeste (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  3. "Polícia Federal abre investigações para apurar responsabilidades sobre queda da ponte que liga Maranhão e Tocantins". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 24 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  4. "Toxic spill fears follow Brazil bridge collapse". BBC News. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  5. "Ponte entre MA e TO: o que se sabe e o que falta esclarecer sobre desabamento na BR-266". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 24 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  6. "VLI não vê impacto de queda de ponte rodoviária em operações de Porto Franco". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  7. "Lula lamenta mortes em queda de ponte entre TO e MA e diz que governo presta 'toda ajuda' em resgate e apuração". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  8. "Governador Wanderlei Barbosa e ministro Renan Filho anunciam reconstrução da Ponte JK em caráter emergencial e providenciam suporte às famílias das vítimas". Governo do Tocantins (in Brazilian Portuguese). 23 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  9. ""Não há risco de contaminação nas águas do Rio Tocantins"". Agência Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  10. "VÍDEO: primeiros corpos são localizados no Rio Tocantins após buscas submersas; número de mortos sobe para 6". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  11. "Death toll in bridge collapse in Brazil jumps to 8, with at least 9 people still missing". Associated Press. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  12. "Sobe para 8 o número de mortos após desabamento de ponte no Rio Tocantins; 9 seguem desaparecidos". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 26 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
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