Overview
- The fall occurred on Sunday in the Maracanã neighborhood when 35-year-old Fabiana Rosa stepped on a loosely secured metal manhole cover on Rua Oto de Alencar and plunged into the drainage shaft.
- A passing motorcyclist who had just transported Rosa, nearby residents and firefighters from the Vila Isabel station rescued her and she was taken to Hospital Federal de Andaraí and released hours later.
- Security cameras recorded two people removing and later replacing the same cover about six hours before the accident, and authorities say that manipulation may be linked to an attempted theft of infrastructure components.
- The Subprefecture of Tijuca sent municipal crews to reposition and replace covers at the site, ordered inspections to check other covers in the area, and has opened an investigation to identify the individuals seen on camera.
- Neighbors report frequent thefts of cables and other street infrastructure in the area, raising safety concerns for pedestrians and increasing pressure on city teams to secure public drains and prevent similar accidents.