Two men were detained in Brazil after a 21-year-old woman died during a bungee jump when staff allegedly launched her from a bridge without attaching the safety cord, authorities said.
The victim, identified as Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, fell approximately 40 meters (131 feet) from the Ponte do Esqueleto, or Skeleton Bridge, in the municipality of Limeira in São Paulo state on June 13. Witnesses told police that organizers failed to secure the safety rope before she was pushed from the platform. Video of the incident circulating on social media appears to show the rope lying on the ground moments after the jump.
According to Brazilian media reports, six people connected to the operation were initially detained following the fatal accident. Authorities later charged several organizers with homicide with implied malice, a Brazilian legal classification used when a person assumes the risk that their actions could cause death. Investigators said two suspects attempted to flee the scene and were later located with the assistance of a police helicopter.
The tragedy occurred during a rope-jumping or bungee-jumping event organized at the abandoned railway bridge, a popular location for extreme sports activities in the region. Federal authorities reportedly found that the company operating the attraction did not have the necessary authorization to conduct the high-risk activity.
De Freitas, a university student, had shared photos and videos on social media shortly before the jump. In one post, she joked about the experience, writing, "Who was the crazy person that let me jump off a bridge?" according to local reports.
🚨🇧🇷 TRAGEDIA EN BRASIL: Una joven de 21 años, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, murió tras caer de 40 metros en la "Ponte do Esqueleto" (Limeira, São Paulo).
— 𝐈𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐌𝐢𝐚 (@InesBetancur1) June 13, 2026
Los operadores de la empresa "Entre Cordas" la levantaron en posición "superman" y la lanzaron al vacío olvidando por… pic.twitter.com/Mo0RDRAgvi
Emergency responders, including a rescue helicopter, were dispatched to the scene, but the young woman was pronounced dead after suffering catastrophic injuries from the fall. Her fiancé, who was present during the activity, reportedly required medical attention after learning of her death.
The case has sparked outrage across Brazil and renewed scrutiny of safety standards for adventure tourism and extreme sports operators. Brazilian Civil Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether additional criminal charges will be filed.
