Brazil: Cities near Capitólio decide to restrict access to canyons
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – São José da Barra and São João Batista da Glória (Minas Gerais), neighboring cities of Capitólio, published decrees on Thursday, January 13, restricting access to tourist attractions near the canyons, where a rockfall killed 10 people last Saturday, January 8.
The documents were issued by the municipalities in agreement after a technical visit by the Capitólio Civil Defense, together with representatives of the State Civil Defense and the Executive.
São José da Barra banned bathing in the Vale dos Tucanos and Hidrelétrica canyons (Morro dos Cabritos) and limited the number of boats in the area to three at a time, at a maximum speed of three knots.
The maximum length of stay in the attractions will be 10 minutes. During the opening of the Furnas Hydroelectric Plant’s spillways, navigation is expressly forbidden.
On Wednesday, January 12, the last victim hospitalized from the tragedy in Capitólio was discharged. At least 32 people were injured after a large rock block hit three boats in the canyon area.
Earlier this week, the Minas Gerais Civil Police completed the identification of all 10 victims. All were from Minas Gerais and São Paulo and were aged between 14 and 68.
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