The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro seized the float involved in the accident near Sapucaí, this Wednesday (20), which caused the death of 11-year-old Raquel Antunes da Silva.
The child climbed into the wing opener at the ‘Em Cima da Hora’ school outside the sambadrome and had his legs pressed against a pole. She underwent surgery, had one of her legs amputated on Thursday (21), but could not resist and died this Friday (22).
The president of the association was summoned by the Civil Police to testify this Friday, but asked to testify on Monday (25). On the same day, the police are also awaiting the testimony of the assistant from the Carvalhão company, who worked as a guide for the truck that was pulling the float at the time of the accident.
The corporation reported that it has also carried out expertise at the scene, listened to the driver of the car and an assistant, and requested images from security cameras in the region.
The Fire Department of the State of Rio (CBMERJ) reported that none of the samba schools that paraded on Wednesday (20) had their floats regularized. According to CBMERJ, on the 12th and 18th of this month, the corporation informed the leagues responsible for the party that the associations had not filed a request for regularization of the cars.
Also according to the Fire Department, when there is no regularization, the release of the parades is up to the Liga das Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro (Liga RJ), responsible for the schools of the Access Group (Série Ouro), and the Liga das Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro (Liga RJ). Independent of the Samba Schools of Rio, responsible for the Special Group.
According to CBMERJ, by allowing vehicles to enter the parades, the leagues assume, together with the schools, the risks of possible accidents.
Governor Cláudio Castro expressed solidarity with the girl’s relatives on his Twitter profile. Castro stated that the state government, through the State Secretariat for Victim Assistance (Seavit), is providing psychological assistance to family members.
I express my solidarity with the relatives of little Raquel, who died today after an accident with a float. Since yesterday, the Government of Rio, through Seavit, is providing psychological assistance to the girl’s family.
— Cláudio Castro (@claudiocastroRJ) April 22, 2022
Mayor Eduardo Paes also spoke on his social media about the death of the 11-year-old.
“The death of little Raquel leaves us with a great feeling of sadness. We will closely monitor the police investigation that determines the responsibilities and we are, through our assistance secretary, supporting family members”, said the mayor in a post on social media.
The death of little Raquel leaves us with a great feeling of sadness. We will closely monitor the police investigation that determines the responsibilities and we are, through our Assistance Department, providing support to family members. My sympathy in this moment of pain.
— Eduardo Paes (@eduardopaes) April 22, 2022
New security measures
The Justice of Rio de Janeiro determined, on the night of this Thursday (21), measures to guarantee more safety for children and adolescents during the parades and around the Marquês de Sapucaí. The decision was published after a request from the state prosecutor, which said that the parades on Wednesday (20) violated safety standards.
In this Thursday’s decision, the TJ-RJ determined:
- that all samba schools belonging to access groups, special and junior groups escort their floats to the sheds to prevent children and adolescents from entering the vehicles;
- that the Military Police place vehicles on the streets around Marquês de Sapucaí and that the Municipal Guard make at least two agents available for walking;
- that the Guardianship Council and agents of the Municipal Department of Social Assistance approach the families of the children and adolescents present in the surroundings of the sambadrome, advising them on duties and responsibilities in relation to the risks for minors.
In the order, Judge Sandro Pitthan Espindola states that “the responsibility belongs to all of us and begins with the education of our children, who could never remain exposed and alone in such a dangerous place as the area where the samba school parades are scattered, as well as as public roads around the Sambódromo”.
Answers
Liga-RJ stated that it deeply regrets the death of Raquel Antunes and sympathizes with the young woman’s family and friends. In a statement, the league added that the accident happened outside the Sambadrome and that it continues to monitor the case and collaborate with the authorities.
The Em Cima da Hora school says it will not comment on the case.
* Under supervision of Helena Vieira
Source: CNN Brasil
