Two sisters die buried in the collapse of a three-story building on Ilha do Governador, in Rio
A tragedy shook the Praia da Rosa community, in the Tauá neighborhood, on Ilha do Governador, North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, this Tuesday morning. Two sisters, Vitória, aged 11, and Ágata, aged 4, died after the collapse of a three-story building where they lived. The deaths were confirmed by rescue teams around noon, after almost five hours of intense searches. The girls were on the second floor of the residence when the structure gave way.
Details of the collapse and first rescues
The incident occurred at around 7:30 am, when the building completely collapsed. Shortly after the collapse, an adult woman and a child were rescued alive from the scene, without suffering serious injuries. The quick initial response allowed these individuals to be safely removed from the rubble.
The rescue actions involved broad mobilization, as detailed by Rodrigo Gonçalves, Civil Defense spokesperson, in an interview with TV Globo. According to him, since 8 am, the city hall provided all its support to the Fire Department. The local community also played a key role, actively helping to remove the rubble. Furthermore, the Infrastructure Secretariat, which was carrying out work nearby, deployed its employees to assist with the work of the rescue teams. The union of efforts between authorities and residents was crucial in the first hours of the operation.
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The Civil Defense spokesperson clarified that the three-story building suffered a total collapse. He described the scene as the three floors having been “flattened”, indicating the intensity of the structural destruction.
Inspection and closure of neighboring properties
Given the scenario, Civil Defense proceeded with the inspection of all properties neighboring the site of the collapse. As a result, several access points and some properties were closed preventatively. Gonçalves explained that the support of the Secretariat of Conservation and Comlurb will be necessary to remove the existing risks and, thus, free up access again for the affected residents. Rapid inspection action on nearby buildings is essential in areas of dense occupation, where the structural safety of a property can directly impact adjacent ones.
The Civil Defense representative also informed that Civil Police expertise is underway to investigate the causes of the incident. As soon as the expert work is completed, Civil Defense will begin demolishing the part of the building that remains standing, aiming to eliminate any remaining danger.
Teams specialized in searches and moments of prayer
Around 50 military personnel were assigned to the incident, including teams from the Ilha do Governador barracks (19th GBM), the Special Operations Group (Goesp) and the Search and Rescue Group with Dogs (GBRESC). These professionals used specialized vehicles and equipment to search for the missing. One of the most touching moments of the rescue occurred after the bodies of the two girls were located and their deaths were confirmed. Relatives, residents, firefighters and city hall teams joined together in a collective prayer in memory of the victims, highlighting the emotional impact of the tragedy. The cause that caused the collapse remains unknown and will be investigated by the authorities.
