Bus Fire Shuts Rebouças Tunnel Toward Zona Sul in Rio

Overview

• An intercity bus caught fire in the first gallery of the Rebouças Tunnel on Thursday morning, forcing passengers and other motorists to evacuate on foot as firefighters were alerted at 7:10 a.m.
• The fire was brought under control by 8:25 a.m., and authorities reported no victims at the scene.
• The direction toward Lagoa/Zona Sul remains closed while crews assess structural conditions, and the mayor said reopening is expected within up to two hours.
• Traffic authorities closed some Centro-bound lanes to create return points, congestion spread to Elevado Paulo de Frontin and Avenida Francisco Bicalho, and drivers were directed to Túnel Santa Bárbara or Aterro do Flamengo.
• The bus driver said engine overheating sparked the blaze, a claim not yet independently confirmed.