Three firefighters killed and six missing due to cave collapse in Brazil

The tragic collapse at dawn this Sunday of a cave in the interior of the state of São Paulo It already leaves three firefighters dead and six missing, according to the latest balance.

“Unfortunately, there are three dead”a spokesman for the Sao Paulo Fire Department informed AFP.

The identity of the victims, who according to the local press are two women and one man, was not disclosed.

The accident occurred after midnight, while a group of 28 firefighters was training part of a course inside the “Duas Boas” grotto, located on private property in the municipality of Altinópolis.

“The ceiling of the cavern fell”, leaving part of the group trapped, he added.

At first, authorities reported that 15 firefighters had been buried, but later reduced the number to 10, of which one was rescued alive.

Five other people were injured at the time of the collapse, but were never trapped. All were transferred to the Mercy Hospital of Altinópolis and have already been discharged.

In the rescue work, hampered by the heavy rain, 75 firefighters participate, with about twenty vehicles, police, several members of the health emergency teams and sniffer dogs.

Two helicopters from the Military Police are helping to transport the cave, which is difficult to access and presents the risk of further collapse.

A “very difficult” rescue

Images released by the Fire Department show rescuers working tirelessly to clear access to the interior of the cave.

“The rescue is very difficult due to the conditions. There is more than a kilometer to get to the place. There was a collapse of part of the grotto. We are working very cautiously to preserve the lives of rescue teams as well, ”Rodrigo Leal, a commander of the Fire Department, told the G1 news site.

Speaking to GloboNews, Cristina Trifoni, mother of one of the instructors who participated in the training, explained that the group planned to spend the night inside the cave.

“What happened is that the entrance to the place where they were collapsed. I’m desperate”, He declared alongside other family members of firefighters who are anxiously awaiting news of the rescue.

“My son is a warrior, he is going to get out of there and help the boys who are in there too”added.

Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria said on Twitter that he determined “All the support and resources necessary for the rescue of the victims.”

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