Man dies after gravestone collapses in Brazil

Abimbola Joseph

A 40-year-old man has died after falling into his father’s grave when a gravestone reportedly collapsed beneath him at a cemetery in Brazil.

The incident occurred at about 2.30pm on Wednesday at São José Municipal Cemetery in Linhares, Espírito Santo State.

According to Metro UK, the man had visited his father’s grave before attending the funeral of a friend who died in a road accident the previous day.

He was reportedly sitting on the gravestone when it gave way, sending him into the grave.

Other visitors rushed to the scene after hearing a loud noise and alerted emergency services. However, paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

A gravedigger, Nazare Bravin, said the man arrived at the cemetery on a motorcycle and asked where his friend’s burial would take place before walking towards his father’s grave.

The victim, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, was reportedly married to an employee of the Linhares Municipal Council.

Police have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

In a statement, the council expressed condolences to the victim’s family and friends.

“We regret the incident that occurred yesterday afternoon at Sao Jose Cemetery in the Interlagos neighbourhood and express our solidarity with the family and friends at this time of grief,” the council said.

It confirmed that cemetery workers contacted the ambulance service and fire brigade immediately after the incident, but efforts to save the man were unsuccessful.

The council urged visitors to exercise caution, particularly ahead of All Souls’ Day, when cemeteries are expected to experience increased activity.

It explained that while the local authority maintained public cemetery grounds, individual families were responsible for maintaining graves and tombs.