Woman falls into Rio de Janeiro manhole after stepping on loose cover

A 35-year-old kitchen worker in Rio de Janeiro narrowly escaped a potentially fatal accident after falling into an open manhole while walking to work. Fabiana Rosa stepped on a metal cover in the Maracanã neighborhood, causing it to shift and send her plunging into the underground conduit.

Security cameras recorded the harrowing moment the cover gave way, striking Rosa before she fell into the deep, water-filled hole. "I thought I was going to die because the water reached my chest and the hole was very deep," Rosa recounted in an interview with local media. "I stepped on the edge of the hole, the iron part, and went straight in. The cover turned over, hit me on the forehead, and I fell inside."

Bystanders and a passing motorcyclist quickly rushed to her aid, calling for emergency services. Firefighters from Vila Isabel rescued Rosa and transported her to the Hospital Federal de Andaraí for medical evaluation. She was later discharged but reported ongoing physical discomfort from the impact and injuries.

Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and discovered that two men had manipulated the same manhole cover approximately six hours before Rosa's fall. The current hypothesis is that they were attempting to access underground facilities to steal copper cables. The investigation continues to determine the precise circumstances and any potential links to other reported crimes in the area.

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I thought I was going to die because the water reached my chest and the hole was very deep. I stepped on the edge of the hole, the iron part, and went straight in. The cover turned over, hit me on the forehead, and I fell inside.