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The collapse of the bridge connecting Maranhão to Tocantins attracted global attention, with criticism of Brazilian infrastructure echoing in the world press.
Days after the bridge collapse Juscelino Kubitschek, which connects Estreito (MA) to Aguiarnópolis (TO), searches for missing people continue intensely.
The accident, which occurred last Sunday (22), left the region on alert. As of Tuesday morning (24), two deaths were confirmed, both women. One of the victims was 25 years old and lived in Aguiarnópolis. The other, not yet identified, remains under investigation.
A 36-year-old man was found alive and taken to Estreito hospital, with a fracture in one of his legs.
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However, 12 adults and three children are still missing. The search is mobilizing teams from both states, with support from the federal government, but faces technical challenges due to the conditions at the site.
International repercussions of the collapse
The accident received major international coverage, highlighting the seriousness of the incident and the challenges of rescue operations. The “Buenos Aires Times” highlighted President Lula’s promise to support the search and investigate the causes of the collapse. According to the newspaper, at least one person died and 16 are missing, with the federal government promising full support.
Reuters highlighted the environmental impact of the accident, pointing to the spill of sulfuric acid into the Tocantins River as a complicating factor for rescue efforts. The report mentioned that the bridge, which is 533 meters long, gave way while several vehicles were crossing, including a tanker truck carrying the chemical substance.
The Euronews portal released videos captured by residents that show the exact moment of the collapse, highlighting that at least eight vehicles, including trucks and cars, fell into the river. The article highlights the environmental dangers and the seriousness of the situation for local communities.
AP News also reported the collapse, reinforcing that the recorded images show the collapse of large sections of the bridge as trucks and cars traveled.
The report highlighted the complexity of the rescue due to the sulfuric acid spill, which requires extra care from emergency teams.
Vehicles involved in the accident
The Federal Highway Police (PRF) reported that at least eight vehicles fell into the river. Among them were four trucks, two cars and two motorcycles. Some of the trucks were transporting dangerous products, such as sulfuric acid and agricultural pesticides, which further complicates rescue efforts.
The National Water Agency (ANA) reported that these trucks were carrying around 22 liters of pesticides and 76 tons of sulfuric acid. Due to the environmental risk, the government of Maranhão recommended the temporary suspension of water collection in cities near the Tocantins River. Preliminary analyses are underway to determine whether these products have already been diluted in the river and what the possible impacts on the population are.
History and conditions of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge
Opened in the 1960s, the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge was already showing signs of deterioration. The 533-meter-long structure underwent maintenance work between 2021 and 2023. However, these interventions were not enough to prevent the disaster.
In May 2024, a R$13 million tender was launched by the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT) to hire a company to carry out rehabilitation works. However, the tender failed. Documents revealed by the press indicate that DNIT had been aware of the precarious situation since 2019.
Civil engineer Fábio Ribeiro, a professor at the Federal University of Tocantins, stated that the accident was the result of accumulated failures. “The collapse was a tragedy waiting to happen, with multiple factors involved,” said the expert. The Public Prosecutor's Office of Tocantins is also following the case and is awaiting the technical reports to decide on the next steps.
Reconstruction and emergency
The National Institute of Transportation (DNIT) has closed off the area and declared a state of emergency to speed up reconstruction procedures. The estimated cost of the new bridge ranges from R$100 million to R$150 million, with an average completion date of 12 months. The Minister of Transportation, Renan Filho, announced that more than R$100 million will be earmarked for the project immediately. In addition, an investigation will be opened to determine who is responsible.
Federal Police and investigations
The Federal Police (PF) has also opened an investigation into the collapse. The regional superintendencies of Maranhão and Tocantins are leading the case. A specialized team was sent to Imperatriz (MA) to analyze technical data and expert reports at the disaster site. The group includes civil engineers, crime scene experts and environmental specialists.
In a statement, the PF highlighted the importance of investigating not only the causes of the accident, but also the resulting environmental and social damage. “Our objective is to ensure that those responsible are identified and that preventive measures are adopted,” the corporation said.
Investigation at Dnit
The Dnit has also opened an inquiry into the collapse. According to Director General Fabrício Galvão, the commission will begin its work this Thursday (26). The investigation will include technical analyses, documentary evidence and site visits. The deadline for completion is 120 days.
“We will request data from other agencies and carry out tests that may clarify the reasons for the collapse. We intend to identify structural failures and also who is responsible,” said Galvão. The investigation may involve the participation of external experts.
Regional impact
The collapse has interrupted traffic on the BR-226 highway, causing economic and social disruption in the region. Drivers who depend on the route to transport goods are being advised to take detours, which increases travel time. Small businesses are also reporting losses due to the drop in customer flow.
Meanwhile, the population awaits concrete responses from the authorities regarding the measures to be taken to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of the region. The coming weeks will be decisive in clarifying the causes of the disaster and initiating the restoration of the bridge.
As always in Brazil, safety measures only happen after tragedies. Someone has to lose their life for measures to be taken. This is what happened with this bridge. Inspections were carried out, structural problems were found, but no safety measures were taken. Will anyone be punished because of this tragedy?