Bridge connecting Maranhão and Tocantins collapsed this Sunday; Transport minister says he will declare a state of emergency
The Minister of Transport, , communicated this Sunday (Dec 22, 2024) the first measures of the federal government after the . In audio published by the Maranhão website “Marrapa”, Renan Filho detailed the ministry’s emergency actions.
“We will declare a state of emergency, isolate the area, check the best path for reconstruction and we are evaluating the possibility of installing a temporary Army bridge”, said the minister. He also stated that teams from the Ministry of Transport and the (National Department of Transport Infrastructure) are on their way to the site to assess the damage and define the next steps.
Actions include the immediate isolation of the affected area and technical analysis of the feasibility of a temporary bridge. According to Renan Filho, the measure will depend on safety conditions and operational viability. “Staff are already on the move to carry out an analysis of the site.”, added the minister.
REGIONAL IMPACT
The minister stated that new information will be released in the coming hours, as the work of the teams on site progresses. The decision on the temporary bridge and the deadlines for reconstruction depend on the results of inspections and technical studies that are underway.
The bridge on BR-226 is an important road axis that connects Maranhão to Tocantins and is essential for the flow of production and the transport of goods in the region. The collapse directly impacts logistics and local mobility, requiring agile solutions to minimize losses.
The Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge, which connects the states of Maranhão and Tocantins, collapsed this Sunday afternoon (Dec 22). The accident occurred on the BR-226 highway, over the Tocantins river, in the Estreito region. At least two women died and 1 man was found alive in the water. He fractured his leg and was taken to the hospital.
Local and federal authorities were mobilized after the collapse of the bridge, which is 533 meters long and connects the cities of Estreito (MA) to Aguiarnópolis (TO). The began an investigation to determine the causes of the collapse.
In a joint note, the (Tocantins Military Police), , and Dnit reported that it is possible that 5 vehicles are submerged. There are missing people and the number of deaths could still rise. Read more about the collapse.
