Bridge collapse on Fernão Dias results in deaths and traffic jams

On the morning of Tuesday, October 18, a bridge on the Fernão Dias Highway (BR-381) in Vargem, São Paulo, collapsed after being struck by a truck transported by a trailer. The incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals, a mother and her son, who were traveling from Belo Horizonte to São Paulo. The accident was captured by security cameras at around 10 a.m.

The bridge, which weighed 70 tons, caused a complete shutdown of the highway in both directions. The resulting traffic jam reached 23 kilometers, forcing drivers to seek alternative routes. Some sources reported that traffic on the road was congested in both the Belo Horizonte and São Paulo directions.

The National Agency of Land Transport (ANTT) is currently monitoring the situation, prioritizing assistance to the victims and the safety of road users. The Federal Highway Police (PRF) was also on-site to help with oversight and traffic direction, which was severely affected by the collapse of the structure.

The trailer involved in the accident that caused the collapse was inspected by the PRF, which is investigating the load and the conditions of the vehicle at the time of impact. The driver of the trailer was detained. The PRF noted that the dimensions of the load could have contributed to the accident.

Images from the site after the collapse show the damage caused and the debris removal operations. Authorities continue to work to restore normalcy on the highway, but traffic remains limited due to ongoing investigations.

The tragic event has caused distress among the victims' family, who mourn their sudden loss. Reports indicate that the woman had accepted her son's invitation for the trip, which aimed to attend a fair in São Paulo. The local community has also expressed shock at the news of this tragedy.