Bridge collapses into river as deadly floods ravage Brazil

A bridge in Brazil collapsed after heavy rains triggered flooding this week. Fooage showed a firefighter using a cable to pass over a collapsed crossing in Santa Maria in the southern Rio Grande do Sul state where at least 29 people had died in the extreme weather conditions as of Thursday night (2 May). Another 60 people are missing, according to the state’s civil defence agency. South America’s weather is affected by the climate phenomenon El Niño, a periodic event that warms surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region. Watch more on Independent TV: Click here to subscribe to The Independent: About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: .