There are growing concerns over potential water contamination following a bridge collapse in northern Brazil over the weekend, which resulted in several lorries carrying hazardous materials, including pesticides and sulphuric acid, plummeting into the river below.
The collapse, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, claimed the lives of at least four individuals, with more than 10 people still missing.
The central section of the bridge, connecting the states of Tocantins and Maranhão, suddenly gave way.
It remains uncertain how much, if any, of the chemicals leaked from their containers.
Due to the ongoing assessment of the situation, diving operations in the river have been suspended.
Local councillor Elias Junior, who had visited the bridge earlier to highlight existing cracks, captured the dramatic footage showing the start of the collapse.
“I never expected the bridge to actually collapse when I was there and was in shock,” he remarked.
A total of eight vehicles, including three lorries carrying chemicals, fell into the river.
Authorities have warned residents of the nearby cities of Estreito and Aguiarnopolis not to collect water from the river.
Rescue operations are ongoing with teams using boats. The fire service confirmed the recovery of four bodies, including the female driver of one of the trucks and an 11-year-old girl. One man was rescued alive on Sunday.
The Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge, a crucial 1.6-kilometre (1,600ft) link built in the 1960s, serves as the primary crossing over the Tocantins River between the two states.
