Cliffs collapse in Brazil – survivor captures horrifying moment before killing seven as she thought ‘falling pebbles’
A SURVEYER of a cliff collapse in Brazil told of the moment “just a few pebbles” began to fall as tourists continued to take pictures beneath the jagged rock surface.
Andréia Mendonça recalls seeing several boats full of tourists lined up under the cliffs in front of it fall on them, kill ten.
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Andréia – who is also on vacation – said Globo: “We stopped, took pictures and it was time for everyone to take their places and start leaving.
“I looked up at the rock and some pebbles were falling. I even made a comment to the driver and he said it was nothing, just a few pebbles.
“When I looked back, that huge rock had fallen, a huge rock.
“I looked at a lot of boats below and it was a horrible sight. The pilot left as fast as he could to get us out of there.
“Very sad, I never imagined he would witness such a sight.”
Ten people lost their lives when a rock wall collapsed on top of tourist boats beneath a waterfall in Brazil.
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A stone spire suddenly split from the canyon wall and crashed into some relaxing boats, creating a huge wave in Lake Furnas, near Capitólio.
Video footage shows a group of small boats slowing down near the sheer cliff on Lake Furnas when a fissure appears in the rock and a large piece flips overboard.
At least one shipwreck sank while the others sailed away.
Firefighters, including divers, initially said they were searching for 20 missing people.
That was revised down to three people after others who feared losing were identified by phone.
Hurt people In the accident, one person suffered a broken bone and the other was in serious condition hospitalized with head and face injuries.
Fire department spokesman Pedro Aihara told reporters that about 23 others were being treated for minor injuries.
Based on Globo.com, passengers on other boats noticed the canyon cracking.
Then they desperately called out to warn the other workers.
Lake Furnas is a popular tourist destination with its natural gorges and navigable waters along with nearby hotels and guesthouses.
Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema tweeted: “Today we are enduring the pain of a tragedy in our state, due to heavy rain causing the stone wall at Lake Furnas, in Capitólio to peel off.
“The government of Minas was there from the start through the Civil Defense and Fire Department.
“Rescue work is still ongoing.
“I stand in solidarity with the families at this difficult time. We will continue to act to provide the necessary support.”
The Brazilian Navy has opened an investigation.
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https://www.thesun.ie/news/8177653/tourist-recounts-moment-of-brazil-canyon-crush/ Cliffs collapse in Brazil – survivor captures horrifying moment before killing seven as she thought ‘falling pebbles’