Fourteen people will go to trial for the collapse of the suspended bike path in Rio

Rio de Janeiro - A total of fourteen people have been charged in Brazil in connection with the April collapse of part of the cycle path in Rio de Janeiro, which resulted in two deaths. The public prosecutor's office has filed charges of manslaughter against those jointly responsible for the condition of one of the pre-Olympic projects, according to the newspaper O Globo.

The tragedy occurred on April 21, less than four months after the official opening of the cycle path, when a suspended section about 50 meters long, supported by pillars above the steep coast, could not withstand the load. According to witnesses, large waves struck the structure before the collapse. Rescuers later pulled two male bodies from the ocean.

According to the public prosecutor's office, the engineers did not adequately take into account the expected impact of waves on the coast when designing the suspended section. The investigation also revealed other deficiencies in the construction.

The construction of the 3.9-kilometer-long cycle path cost more than ten million euros (270 million crowns). The route runs in the southern part of the city to the Olympic park Barra and was primarily intended for tourists. Due to its beautiful views, it quickly became one of the favorite routes for local residents. However, the damaged section is still closed, and it is unclear whether it will be possible to repair and reopen it before the start of the Olympic Games.