The girl Raquel Antunes da Silva, 11, who was involved in an accident with a float last night (20), in the dispersion of the Sambadrome, had one of her legs amputated. Taken to the Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital, the adolescent’s health condition is considered serious.
Raquel climbed on the Em Cima da Hora school float, which was maneuvering at the exit of Praça da Apoteose, and ended up sandwiched between the structure and a pole, when the vehicle moved.
The Civil Police is investigating the accident. Forensics were carried out at the place, which is outside the Sambadrome, and security camera images are being analyzed to clarify what happened.
The Public Ministry (MP) issued a statement and asked that the floats be escorted by security guards at the time of dispersion, outside the Sambadrome, when it is common for the public in the surroundings to come into contact with the floats.
“So that accidents like yesterday’s do not occur… the MPRJ issued today (21) an urgent request for the judge on duty at the Childhood and Youth Court to determine the designation, by the associations, of security guards to work with each school, making the escort of the floats, in the dispersion”, wrote the MP.
The same recommendation had already been made in 2019. “Provide security for the floats to prevent children and adolescents from putting themselves at risk, especially at times of concentration and dispersion of samba schools”, said item 10 of that year’s document.
The Liga das Escolas de Samba (Lierj) issued a note saying that it is following the case and offering solidarity to Raquel’s family.
“The leagues of samba schools in Rio de Janeiro are shaken and show solidarity with the family of Raquel Antunes. Teams from the leagues and the school have followed the case at the hospital with the family from the first moment and also collaborated with the authorities”.
