The marks scattered across the face and body of Julimar Garcia cannot be compared with the pain that the Venezuelan bears in the eyes after the loss of her 2-year-old daughter. Isabella Valentina Cortez Ilovera was attending a children’s birthday party when part of the roof of a social headquarters collapsed last Saturday evening in the municipality of Guatambu, west of Santa Catarina, hitting 50 people (11). .

Isabella Valentina died after hitting a roof structure. – Photo: Personal Archive/Disclosure/ND

“It was terrible,” summed up the girl’s mother, who tried to save her daughter with her own body, but saw the structure hit her and the little girl fell unconscious next to her. Julimar says that the roof collapsed in a split second and no one understood what happened. The party was held on the Porto Chalan line.

“When I looked up, I saw the debris falling and tried to protect my daughter, but I couldn’t. He fell on her head and she fainted. Everything happened very quickly, ”recalls the excited mother.

Julimar reports that help did not arrive at the scene, and everyone was taken by car to the medical unit. She was the last to be rescued, with facial injuries and a broken leg.

moment of accident

Children were beating a piñata — a colorful cartoon-shaped box with about 10 pounds of candy inside — when part of the roof structure collapsed on top of the guests.

According to Julimar, the parents of the girl, who had a birthday, asked those in charge of the headquarters if the structure was suitable for placing a piñata, receiving the answer that it was. However, she refers to the fact that the structure looked old, and cracks were visible in the walls.

Julimar Garcia tried to protect his daughter but failed and ended up getting injured. – Photo: Roberto Bortolanza/NDTV Chapeco

Dissatisfied with the loss of her daughter, Julimar waits for answers and for someone to bear responsibility for the death of the girl and for all the affected guests. “The structure collapsed very quickly, and no one had a chance to escape. We need answers, my daughter is not coming back.”

The video shows the collapse:

The video captures the exact moment when part of the roof structure collapsed, hitting the guests.

In the nearly three-minute video, blindfolded children are seen hitting an object hanging from the roof rafters in order to knock over a box of sweets. At 1 minute and 5 seconds of the video, the structure starts to fall and a lot of screaming is heard.

The mobile phone that recorded the images falls to the floor and continues recording. Among the dark scenes, you can hear a lot of screaming and crying. While some guests are trying to get out from under the rubble, others are cleaning up firewood. According to civilian police, the roof collapsed around 7:20 p.m.

The party was dedicated to the anniversary of the birth of Eileen’s granddaughter Caroline Guacare Gonzalez. The NDTV Chapecó team spoke to her at the door of the UPA (emergency squad). She said they were meeting with family and friends to celebrate the first year of her granddaughter’s life when the breakup happened.

“The roof fell, many were injured. We called the police and fire department and it took about 1 hour. In these places, there should be an infirmary or help nearby,” he commented.

Investigation

According to civilian police, about 50 people, including adults and children, were at the scene. More than 40 of them received serious and minor injuries. The military fire department and Samu (mobile emergency service) were called, but they did not arrive in time to help the injured. All of them went to the regional hospitals at their own expense.

18 people were rescued at Chapeco’s emergency room and 14 at Caxambo do Sul hospital. Eight people were taken to the Western Regional Hospital and seven to the Children’s Hospital.

The collapse happened on Saturday night (11). – Photo: Assembly/ND

The scientific police conducted an investigation at the scene on Monday morning. Experts made images, measurements and analyzes that should help in the investigation of the civilian police.

What does the company responsible for the headquarters say?

Brasil Foods SA (BRF), which is in charge of the place, said in a statement that it deeply regrets what has happened and is giving its full support to the families. “The company is investigating the causes of the accident and is cooperating with the authorities to clarify the circumstances,” he said.