Tragedy in Brazil: 9 civilian firefighters die in cave collapse
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A tragic accident shocked Brazil on Sunday: a cave collapsed in the town of Altinópolis, interior of São Paulo state, and caused the death of 9 civilian firefighters. The group was training in the cave.
The collapse occurred in the early hours of the morning, just after midnight, while a group of 28 people was participating in a civil firefighter training course. According to the city’s Fire Department, the roof of the cave unexpectedly “collapsed.”
Ten of the firefighters were trapped inside the “Duas Bocas” cave, located in a private property in the municipality of Altinópolis.
After notifying local authorities, rescue work began, involving 75 people and some 20 vehicles. Police officers and several members of the emergency health teams were also involved.
“The rescue is very difficult because of conditions. There is over 1 kilometer to reach the site. Part of the cave collapsed. We are working very carefully to preserve the lives of the rescue teams as well,” said Fire Brigade commander Rodrigo Leal.
Among the injured, one was rescued and taken to the city’s Misericordia Hospital for medical assistance. He was later discharged.
In the course of the rescue operations, complicated by the heavy rain that persisted all morning, the death of a woman was also confirmed, whose identity was not disclosed. Hours later, 6 others were reported dead. Even later, the search for the 2 other group members found them dead as sell.
Cristina Trifoni, mother of one of the instructors taking part in the training, said that the group was planning to spend the night inside the cave. “The entrance to the place where they were staying collapsed. I’m desperate,” she stated alongside other relatives of firefighters waiting for news on the rescue.
The São Paulo firefighters maintain a real-time update of the situation in the cave, sharing photos and videos on their official Twitter account.
In solidarity with the incident, São Paulo governor João Doria shared on social media: “I am closely following the rescue of the firefighters trapped in a cave collapse in Altinópolis, in the interior of São Paulo. I am providing all the necessary support and resources for the rescue,” he said.
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