Brazilian Bridge Collapse Claims Lives and Raises Toxic Contamination Fears

The collapse of a key bridge in northern Brazil has killed four, left 13 missing, and triggered concerns over chemical spills into the Tocantins River.

The Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge, built in the 1960s, collapsed Sunday, sending eight vehicles, including three trucks carrying hazardous chemicals, into the Tocantins River.
Four people have been confirmed dead, including an 11-year-old girl and a truck driver, while 13 others remain missing as rescue operations face challenges from potential chemical contamination.
The trucks were transporting 76 tons of sulfuric acid and 22,000 liters of pesticides, prompting authorities to halt diving operations and warn local residents against using river water.
Preliminary investigations suggest the central beam of the bridge failed, with reports of visible cracks on the structure just one day before the collapse.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pledged federal support for rescue efforts, environmental assessments, and the construction of a new bridge within a year.