Brazil Christmas tree collapse: 21-year-old worker dies, two injured in Maricá storm

A festive holiday celebration in Maricá, Brazil, turned tragic when a massive floating Christmas tree collapsed during a violent thunderstorm. The Brazil Christmas tree collapse claimed the life of one worker and left two others injured. The incident happened on December 16 as workers were assembling the towering display on Lagoa de Araçatiba, a picturesque lagoon in Rio de Janeiro state.

The victim, identified as 21-year-old Vinicius dos Santos Abreu, sustained critical injuries when the structure gave way under the force of destructive winds. Despite being rushed to hospital, Abreu succumbed to his injuries. Two other workers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and have since been discharged from medical care.

Local media outlets, filming the tree’s assembly, captured the dramatic moment when the enormous structure was ripped apart by the storm and collapsed into the water. The footage has since circulated widely, highlighting the sheer power of the winds that brought the festive centrepiece crashing down.

In response to the tragedy, Maricá’s Mayor, Fabiano Horta, declared two days of official mourning to honour Abreu’s memory. “Out of respect for the victim, all Christmas lights programming is suspended and will only resume on December 19,” he announced on X, formerly known as Twitter. Horta extended his condolences to the victim’s family and friends, calling the incident a “tragic accident.”

Weather warnings issued by Civil Defence officials earlier that day had alerted residents to heavy rains and strong winds, prompting the company responsible for assembling the tree to begin evacuating workers. However, the storm’s intensity escalated rapidly, toppling the massive structure in mere seconds.

The city of Maricá released an official statement on its website, echoing the mayor’s sentiments and confirming the tragic loss. The statement described the event as an “unfortunate and unexpected accident.”

The floating Christmas tree, a hallmark of Maricá’s holiday season, had been intended to bring festive cheer to the lagoon. Instead, it became the centre of a sombre reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather events. The incident has also sparked questions about safety protocols during such assemblies, particularly in areas prone to sudden weather changes.

Local police have launched an investigation to determine whether negligence or oversight contributed to the collapse. Authorities will examine the tree’s structural integrity and the company’s adherence to safety measures during the storm warnings.

Maricá’s lagoon area remains quiet as residents process the tragedy. The Christmas lights, once expected to illuminate the night sky, will now stand dark until the end of the mourning period.

This sombre incident serves as a grim reminder of the unpredictable nature of severe weather and its potentially catastrophic consequences, even during moments of celebration.