At Least Five Dead And More Than A Dozen Injured After Giant Rock Falls Onto Boats In Brazil

According to officials, at least five people died and fifteen injured when a giant rock formation fell onto several boats in Brazil.

The incident happened Saturday in the Brazilian city of Capitóliam, located in the state of Minas Gerais. The rocks were reportedly dislodged following a heavy downpour. They fell more than 16 feet onto three boats below.

It’s estimated that each boat had between 12 and 20 passengers, including children. Reuters reports that at least one of the leisure boats sank. Other boats fled the area. 

Captain Daniel Henrique Alves de Oliveira told a Brazilian news outlet that the death toll is expected to rise. Victims were taken to area hospitals, and some of the victims were listed in critical condition. A spokesperson for the local fire department said that 23 people had been treated and released. 

Video of the incident was widely circulated on social media.

URGENTE

Rocha desaba sobre banhistas em #EscarpasdoLago (MG)
Confira: https://t.co/xPnulAgs0E #R7Minas pic.twitter.com/zZukQA1cww

— Record Minas (@recordtvminas) January 8, 2022