A serious accident involving a bus resulted in the death of nine people and left another 40 injured on the morning of August 16, 2026, on BR-040, in Petrópolis, in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. The collective overturned at around 4:30 am, according to information from the Federal Highway Police (PRF-RJ).
Details of the fall and number of victims
The vehicle had left Belo Horizonte, in Minas Gerais, heading to Copacabana, in the south of the capital of Rio de Janeiro. The accident quickly mobilized rescue teams to the scene, who began treating the affected people.
Among the injured, several had serious injuries and were immediately taken to nearby health units and also in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro. The deaths were confirmed by authorities present at the scene of the tragedy.
Medical care for passengers in hospitals
The survivors and the bodies of the victims were distributed to different hospitals in the region. This complex operation aimed to ensure that everyone received the necessary care in an agile and coordinated manner.
- Hospitals that received passengers include:
- Santa Teresa Hospital, in Petrópolis
- Adão Pereira Nunes Hospital, in Duque de Caxias
- Hospital Getúlio Vargas, in Rio de Janeiro
The rapid mobilization to transport victims to these institutions was essential for emergency assistance.
Traffic on BR-040 blocked due to the accident
The ban on descending the Serra de Petrópolis, towards Rio de Janeiro, was one of the direct consequences of the accident. The measure was necessary to allow rescue teams and forensic experts to work at the site of the collapse.
The Elovias concessionaire, responsible for the BR-040 section, reported that the lane was completely blocked at kilometer 91 of the highway. The stoppage caused congestion of approximately two kilometers on the road, affecting the flow of vehicles.
Investigations into the causes of the collapse
The exact circumstances that led to the bus overturn are still under investigation by authorities. Technical expertise was called in to collect evidence at the scene, seeking to determine factors such as speed, track conditions, mechanical failure or other causes.
The incident was registered at the 105th Police Station of Petrópolis, where police teams seek to clarify all the details of what happened. The objective is to identify responsibilities and prevent future road incidents.
Statement by the responsible tourism company
The company Estrela Guia Turismo, owner of the collective involved in the accident, released an official statement. In it, the company expressed deep regret and informed that it is investigating the facts to understand the dynamics of what happened and offer support.
The note from Estrela Guia Turismo reinforces that new information will be shared through its official channels, closely monitoring the development of the investigations. The company collaborates with the authorities to elucidate the causes of the accident.
