Four Family Members Killed in Unsanctioned Construction Site Collapse in Brazil

A tragic construction site collapse in Cariacica, Espírito Santo, Brazil, claimed the lives of four individuals, including a business owner and three construction workers who were all related. The incident occurred on Friday, March 31st, during an excavation for an expansion of a beverage distribution company owned by 35-year-old Vanderson Santana André. The earth embankment gave way, burying the group. Among the deceased were Ronival Moreira de Jesus, his son Ruan Moreira da Luz, and his brother Valdomiro Moreira de Jesus, all experienced construction workers. Vanderson Santana André, who had a significant social media presence with over 150,000 followers, had recently posted videos showcasing his business operations and the ongoing expansion project. The victims were laid to rest on Saturday, April 2nd. Following the collapse, three adjacent properties were indefinitely condemned: the beverage distributor, a neighboring warehouse, and a house situated above the embankment. The family residing in the latter had to evacuate urgently and are currently staying with relatives. The Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy (Crea-ES) inspected the site and identified significant irregularities, noting that the excavation was performed at a dangerous 90-degree angle, violating safety standards. Crea-ES also stated that while an initial project existed, it was not followed, and the work proceeded without technical oversight. The Cariacica municipality confirmed that the construction had been embargoed approximately a year prior, but the owner resumed work irregularly about a week before the fatal accident, citing negligence on the part of the responsible party. The Civil Police are investigating the circumstances of the collapse.