Another body was rescued this Saturday morning (4) on the Tocantins River, where the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge that connected Aguiarnópolis (TO) to Estreito, in Maranhão, collapsed. With the location of the victim, the confirmed deaths reach 14 and three people still remain missing.
According to the Command of the Navy’s 4th Naval District, which is part of the search and rescue task force on the Tocantins River, the body was close to the wreckage and was removed from the site at 10:25 am.
According to the head of the Navy diving detachment, sea and war captain Albino Santos, the debris at the site of the collapse increases the challenge in the search and rescue of victims, requiring the employment of highly specialized professionals and the use of different techniques.
Dives are carried out daily to identify and mark points of interest, and air-dependent dives are carried out, with more autonomy and time for exploration in areas that exceed 40 meters in depth.
“Dependent air diving has a series of specific devices designed for this technique. For example, the traditional mask is replaced by a helmet. With it, the diver can receive the air that comes from the surface”, he explains.
Fall
The Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Bridge, which connected the states of Maranhão and Tocantins via BR-226, collapsed in the late afternoon of December 22, 2024. The search and rescue operation began on the same day, with reinforcement from several fronts such as the Fire Department, private companies and the use of boats, helicopters and vehicles in the region.
To date, vehicle transit – via ferries – in the region has not yet been established by the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT). The companies responsible for maintaining the BR-226 “are mobilized to meet the requirements of the Brazilian Navy in the execution of the accesses and docking necessary for the operation of the ferries”.
Once this stage is completed and the grant is granted by the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), the ferries should begin operating immediately free of charge. The service will guarantee the crossing of passenger cars, ambulances and trucks.
* With information from Agência Marinha de Notícias
