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Storm topples 184-foot floating Christmas tree near Rio de Janeiro, killing 1

By Chris Williams
Published  December 17, 2024 3:36pm MST
World
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Floating 180-foot Christmas tree collapses in Brazil, killing 1

A 184-foot-tall floating Christmas tree display collapsed during stormy weather near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday, December 16, killing at least one person, according to local officials. (Credit: Adriano Marcal via Storyful)

The Brief

    • A 184-foot floating Christmas tree collapsed during a storm near Rio de Janeiro on December 16, killing a 21-year-old worker and injuring two others.
    • The tree fell into Lagoa de Aracatiba in Marica, with the incident captured by a local photographer.
    • Marica declared two days of mourning and suspended Christmas display lightings from December 17 to 19.

RIO DE JANEIRO - One person was killed when a 184-foot-tall floating Christmas tree display collapsed during a storm near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday, December 16, according to local officials.

Local photographer Adriano Marcal captured the incident as the display fell into coastal waters at Lagoa de Aracatiba in Marica, about 22 miles east of Rio de Janeiro.

People were then seen rushing to the scene to help the victims. 

According to Mayor of Marica Fabiano Horta, a 21-year-old worker died, and two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

Civil Defense officials did issue a warning prior to the storm which prompted a crew assembling the tree to begin evacuations, but then the storm arrived suddenly and knocked the tree over "in a few seconds," Horta said.

Two days of mourning have been declared, from December 17 to 19, during which the lighting of Christmas displays in Marica would be suspended, according to local officials. 

The Source

  • Storyful contributed to this report as well as local officials in Marica, Brazil. This story was reported from Los Angeles. 

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