Brazilians forced to cross river by boat after deadly bridge collapse
Residents of Estreito in northeastern Brazil were forced to cross the Tocantins river by boat on Tuesday (December 24) after a major local bridge collapsed on Sunday (December 22).
The central span of a 533-meter (583-yard) bridge that links the cities of Estreito in Maranhao state and Aguiarnopolis in Tocantins state gave way as vehicles were crossing above the Tocantins River, killing at least four, with more than 10 people still missing according to authorities.
Locals expressed fears over potential spikes in living costs as the bridge played a crucial role in the transportation of essential goods such as food, and was a key commute route for many workers.
Meanwhile, rescue divers waited to start searching for the bodies of victims as authorities assessed the risks of water contamination after trucks carrying sulfuric acid and agricultural pesticides plunged into the Tocantins.
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