9 Brazil firefighters dead after cave collapsed during training exercise

Officials said 28 firefighters were in a cave in São Paulo when it collapsed.

October 31, 2021, 6:42 PM

Nine Brazil firefighters were killed in a cave collapse during a training exercise Sunday, officials said.

The Sao Paulo Military Firemen Department confirmed to ABC News that 28 firefighters were training in a cave on the Gruta Duas Bocas trail near Altinópolis in São Paulo, Brazil, when the roof of the cave collapsed.

An emergency response was launched at 11:30 a.m. local time Sunday, the department said.

Nine of the firefighters died and several were injured. One is still hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

PHOTO: Sao Paulo State's Military Police on October 31, 2021 showing firefighters working to rescue civilian firefighters buried in a cave after a collapse in Altinopolis, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Photo by Sao Paulo State's Military Police / AFP
Handout picture released from Sao Paulo State's Military Police on October 31, 2021 showing firefighters working to rescue civilian firefighters buried in a cave after a collapse in Altinopolis, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. (Photo by Sao Paulo State's Military Police/AFP via Getty Images)
Sao Paulo State's Military Police

The rescue operation is complete and there are no more victims, the department said.

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