Brazil bridge closed after young woman's fatal rope jumping fall

The Ponte do Esqueleto bridge in Limeira, Brazil, has been temporarily closed by municipal authorities following the tragic death of 21-year-old Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas. She fell 40 meters to her death after her safety harness was not properly secured during a rope jumping activity organized by an extreme sports company.

The incident occurred last weekend when Rodrigues de Freitas participated in the activity, similar to bungee jumping. Minutes before her jump, she posted a message on Instagram, seemingly unaware of the safety lapse. Videos captured by onlookers show that only after she was pushed from the platform did people realize the harness was missing, shouting "Guys, the rope!" Tragically, she impacted the ground from a significant height, and paramedics confirmed her death while she was being transported to the hospital. Her boyfriend also required medical attention.

Six individuals linked to the event were detained by police, including two who attempted to flee the scene. Judicial investigations have summoned instructors and organizers for questioning. The public outcry following Maria Eduarda's death has led the municipality of Limeira to announce a lawsuit against the federal government. The city claims the bridge was in a state of neglect, which allowed the company to operate without adequate supervision, contributing to the fatal accident.