A 23-year-old motorcyclist lost his life on Monday night, November 2, after being swept away by a flash flood in the Camargos neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The incident occurred when the rider was carried by the rushing water and fell into a storm drain, where one of his legs became trapped.
The tragedy unfolded amidst severe weather conditions affecting the region. Earlier that day, the Municipal Civil Defense had issued alerts warning of heavy rain showers and winds reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h. Despite these warnings, the intensity of the downpour led to dangerous flooding on local streets.
Bystanders and residents who witnessed the event attempted to rescue the man, but the force of the current made it impossible for them to intervene safely. When emergency services arrived, they found the victim partially inside the drain with his upper body, from the chest up, protruding from the opening.
According to the Fire Department, agents removed the victim who was already without vital signs. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers were performed on site, but the motorcyclist did not respond to the attempts. Videos recorded by members of the public show the victim's motorcycle lying on the road and highlight the strength of the water current at the scene.
The Military Police of Minas Gerais (PMMG) secured the area, and the Civil Police of Minas Gerais (PCMG) was called in to conduct a forensic investigation. The severe weather also caused other disruptions in Belo Horizonte, including hailstorms that damaged property and flooded various roads. In the Castelo neighborhood near Pampulha, footage showed a resident's window being crushed by ice stones during the storm.
Civil Defense authorities had issued danger alerts for several areas of the capital due to the intensity of the weather. CNN Brasil contacted Civil Defense for further details regarding the storm but is awaiting a response.
Sources: CNN Brasil.