Rescue work following a fatal bridge collapse in Brazil on Sunday has been complicated by a leak of sulphuric acid from two trucks that fell into the river.

The collapsed bridge in northern Brazil. Credit: Brazilian Government

A 533m section of the centre span of the bridge between the cities of Aguiarnópolis, Tocantins, and Estreito, Maranhao, in the north of Brazil, collapsed into the Tocantins River. Fifteen people are missing. The river at the crossing is 50m deep.

Some media outlets have published a video in which a local politician points out cracks and ground deformation on the approach roads moments before the accident.