A woman in Brazil fell into a manhole when its cover suddenly gave way beneath her feet.
The incident happened on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro and was captured on surveillance video that has since circulated online. According to the New York Post, the footage shows 32-year-old Fabiana Rosa walking along a sidewalk while looking at her phone after getting off a motorcycle taxi.
Moments later, she stepped onto what appeared to be a secured manhole cover, which unexpectedly flipped open, causing her to plunge into the drainage system below.
Video shows the motorcycle taxi driver immediately rushing back toward the scene as nearby pedestrians hurried over to help. Emergency responders later arrived, pulled Rosa from the underground shaft, and transported her to a local hospital for treatment.
Speaking to Brazilian media after the incident, Rosa said she feared for her life while trapped inside the drainage system.
“I thought I was going to die because the water was hitting my chest and the hole was very deep,” she said, recalling how water quickly rose around her inside the deep opening.
According to reports, Rosa was also struck by the metal cover as she fell, leaving her with multiple injuries. Local reports suggest the manhole cover may have been improperly secured after an attempted theft the night before.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured two men removing the cover during the early morning hours before trying to place it back over the opening. Authorities believe the cover was not properly repositioned, creating the dangerous hazard that later led to Rosa's fall.
Officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the reported attempted theft and whether additional safety measures should have been taken to secure the area.
The frightening accident comes just weeks after a fatal manhole-related incident in New York City, where 56-year-old Westchester resident Donike Gocaj died after falling into an open manhole in Midtown Manhattan.
