In the city of São Paulo, a judge has imposed fines totaling R$240 million ($48.3 million; £38.3 million) on officials and construction firms in response to a catastrophic building site collapse.
The tragedy occurred in 2007, claiming the lives of seven individuals when a massive sinkhole suddenly emerged, engulfing pedestrians and vehicles. The incident transpired as workers were excavating a tunnel to expand the metro system in the Pinheiros neighborhood, leading to a sudden collapse of the earth.
The judge attributed the disaster to “negligent” and “hazardous” actions, emphasizing that project leaders disregarded warnings from experts who stressed the urgent need for support structures in the tunnel. Despite these warnings, construction continued hastily in a bid to expedite the project.
Former executives of São Paulo’s Metrô, an engineer, and a construction inspector, alongside six companies, were among those ordered to pay compensation. Even one worker, who tragically passed away in 2018, was held liable posthumously, with the judge mandating restitution from his heirs.
The sinkhole, spanning 2,200 square meters (23,680 square feet), swallowed a minibus, demolished seven homes, and displaced around 200 individuals. Aerial images of the site depicted the magnitude of the crater, with vehicles submerged within.
Prosecutors emphasized the profound impact of the disaster on São Paulo’s populace, describing the trauma as “extraordinarily intense” for Brazil’s most populous city.
Despite the verdict, those convicted are anticipated to file appeals against the ruling.