The Brazilian Navy confirmed the 12th death due to the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, on BR-226, between Aguiarnópolis (TO) and Estreito (MA). The structure, which connects the states of Maranhão and Tocantins, collapsed on the 22nd. According to the Navy statement, five people are still missing.
“The search and rescue task force for the victims of the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge removed a white Voyage vehicle from the Tocantins River, using divers and refloating devices. In the vehicle, there was a body previously located and another body, until then, missing”, announced the Navy.
In a note, she also informed that, among the 12 confirmed deaths, there is a body located inside a truck, but which has not yet been rescued. Divers arrived at the site of the collapse on the 23rd. In addition to them, a UH-15 helicopter, from the Naval Force, transported sonar equipment capable of searching the bed of the Tocantins River.
Understand
The bridge’s central span gave way on the afternoon of December 22, knocking over at least 10 vehicles, including three trucks carrying around 25,000 liters of pesticides and 76 tons of sulfuric acid. The National Water Agency (ANA) reported that water quality analysis indicates that there was no leakage of materials.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the bridge was inaugurated in 1961 and the old structure “no longer met the increased flow of vehicles and cargo transported along the axis”. The Federal Police opened an investigation to determine who was responsible for the collapse of the structure.
The National Department of Transport Infrastructure (Dnit) also opened an investigation to determine who was responsible for the collapse. The commission will have 120 days to present the results of the investigation.
New bridge
This week, the Ministry of Transport hired a company that will be responsible for the reconstruction work on the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge. In total, the work has an estimated value of R$171.9 million and the deadline for rebuilding the structure is December 22, 2025, one year after the bridge collapse.
The contracting was on an emergency basis, that is, without bidding. The Penedo-Neópolis consortium, formed by the companies Construtora Gaspar S/A and Arteles Construções Limitada, will be responsible for the works.
