Brazil grotto collapse kills 10 worshippers and injures 4

RIO DE JANEIRO – The partial collapse of a grotto in central Brazil killed at least 10 people during a religious celebration and injured 4 others on Tuesday, officials said.

The Tocantins state fire department said about 50 worshippers were gathered at the grotto when part of the cave’s roof collapsed.

Fire department Lt. Edvaldo Gomes Araujo told the Associated Press that all the bodies and the injured have been removed from the grotto area.

The Tocantins state government said in a statement that some of the injured were taken to local hospitals.

Many worshippers visit the Casa da Pedra grotto in the city of Santa Maria to leave candles, pray and celebrate All Saints’ Day.

Santa Maria, with about 2,000 people is almost 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometres) northwest of Rio de Janeiro and the access to the Casa da Pedra region is difficult.

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Associated Press video journalist Renata Brito contributed for this report.

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