In an interview with CNN this Saturday (8), geologist from the Geological Survey of Brazil Tiago Antonelli spoke about the importance of studies and monitoring in tourist regions in Brazil to prevent tragedies such as the one in Capitólio (MG) – where a rock collapses in Lago de Furnas caused the deaths of at least six people.
The geologist believes that the heavy rains that hit the region may have contributed to the collapse of the structure, however, Antonelli highlights the importance of permanent monitoring in tourist regions, especially in rocky scenarios.
“Preliminarily, we can deduce that this period of rain must have contributed; possibly some crack, some crack in this rocky space accelerated the erosive processes of conducting the material, which increased this crack and unfortunately caused this rock to topple over”, he explained.
Antonelli added that such geotechnical monitoring is usually carried out in larger areas, such as hydroelectric plants, without a focus on tourist areas.
“We have a culture of learning after a disaster happens, that’s how it was with the Brumadinho dam, the study that would prevent an event like this. Generally it is focused on large areas, dams and hydroelectric power, the entire geological study is carried out; but for tourist areas we have not had this study until now, unfortunately we hope to have an event like this and then see the need for this monitoring”, he said.
For the geologist, the accident this Saturday (8) reiterates the importance of monitoring at the site, and recommends that tourist activities only resume after the complete study.
“It leaves an alert for all of us, so that tourist areas, rocky areas, are studied by geologists, specialist engineers, so that these fractures and cracks can be mapped. In the specific case of Capitólio, it would have to have the interdiction of this entire area, until all these walls are duly studied and mapped”, he said.
The collapse of a rock on boats in the Capitólio region, in Minas Gerais, left at least six dead in the early afternoon of this Saturday (8).
A video circulating on social media shows the moment when a large block of stones falls into the water. The incident would have started with a “water head” in the region of the canyons, causing the collapse of stones and rocky structures, which affected at least three vessels — 2 sank.
Lieutenant Pedro Aihara, a spokesman for the MG Fire Department, confirmed that two men, still unidentified, died.
At least 32 were injured in that accident. Among them, 23 people attended the Santa Casa de Capitol with minor injuries and have already been released. Another two wounded, with open fractures, are being treated at the Santa Casa in the municipality of Piumhi.
Three wounded are being treated at the Santa Casa in the city of Passos, but there is no information on their health status. Finally, four victims are being treated at Santa Casa de São João da Barra, with minor injuries.
Reference: CNN Brasil
