At least seven people are dead and three more are missing following the fall of a large chunk of rock from a limestone cliff onto tourist vessels on a lake in Brazil.
An additional 32 people were also hurt on Saturday, nine of whom were seriously, when a canyon walls fell into the lake and onto motorboats. The incident occurred on Furnas lake at Capitolio in Minas Gerais state.
Video posted to social media showed small boats near the cliff when the rock struck into the water. Two vessels were hit by the impact. As the other boats got away, you could hear people screaming.
Edgard Estevo from Minas Gerais Fire Department said that divers were searching for approximately 20 people missing after the disaster. However, some of those most worried about were located by phone.
Pedro Aihara of the fire department reported that two boats were damaged directly by the rock and that 24 people had been rescued from the wreckage alive. Seven bodies were found.
Authorities stated that the accident caused broken bones in two victims. One of them was hospitalized with severe facial and head injuries. 23 others were treated in hospital for minor injuries.
Furnas Lake also known by the “sea Minas” is a popular tourist attraction about 418km (260miles north of Sao Paulo).
Minas Gerais has been experiencing heavy rains for the past two week, which officials believe could have led to the loosening of the rock.
Conexao GeoClima, an organisation for scientific research in Brazil, posted a video showing tourists bathing under the spray from the waterfall before the rock fell.
It tweeted that it said: “Minutes ago, there was an accident with a rock in Capitolio, Minas Gerais. A head of water was also recorded in Furnas Creek waterfall. Take note of the sudden volume at the waterfall.
Mr Estevo said that the accident occurred in between Sao Jose da Barra’s and Capitolio’s towns, where the boats had taken off earlier that day.
Romeu Zema, Minas Gerais’ governor, has reportedly sent messages in solidarity with the victims of social media.
Brazilian navy confirmed it would investigate the accident.
