Brazil investigates chemical risk after tankers descend on collapsed bridge

ESTREITO, Brazil (Reuters) – Brazilian state and federal authorities are assessing the risk of water pollution on Tuesday after trucks carrying sulfuric acid and agricultural pesticides plunged into a river on Sunday when a bridge collapsed.

The mid-span of the 533-meter (583-yard) bridge connecting the cities of Estreito in Maranhao state and Aguiarnopolis in Tocantins state stopped when traffic overcame the Tocantins River on Sunday afternoon.

The Maranhao regional government and the Tocantins fire department confirmed three more deaths in separate statements on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to four, with more than 10 people still missing.

Divers called off their efforts on Sunday after discovering that trucks carrying sulfuric acid had entered the river.

“We are waiting for some agencies that will collect and analyze the water so that we, with 25 divers, can dive to retrieve the victims in the Tocantins River,” said Colonel Magnum Coelho of the fire department in Maranhao.

According to the Brazilian water regulator ANA, three trucks carrying 76 tons of sulfuric acid and about 25,000 liters of agricultural pesticides spilled into the river.

In a statement on Monday evening, the agency said it is monitoring the risk of infection and the environment secretary of Maranhao, said water samples will be taken from the Tocantins River.

It is not clear if the chemicals are leaking, and how much.

“Although we don’t have the final results of the analysis on environmental pollution, the Ministry of Environment has identified that the pH of the water is normal,” Maranhao State Governor Carlos Brandao told CNN Brasil television on Monday.

Federal and state authorities have told towns that may be affected by the incident to avoid drawing water from the Tocantins River.