A tragic incident occurred at a well-known Brazilian restaurant where a cook lost her life after a floor collapsed, trapping six individuals. Suênia Maria Tomé Bezerra, aged 51, was working at the Jamile restaurant in Sao Paulo when the accident took place. The victim had been an employee at the restaurant for approximately three years. Despite efforts from paramedics, she succumbed to her injuries while trapped in the rubble. Firefighters faced challenges during the rescue operation due to the substantial amount of debris, but they managed to save five other individuals.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the building collapse, with the restaurant currently cordoned off. Friends of Ms. Bezerra expressed their grief on social media, remembering her fondly and offering condolences. Originally from Paraiba in Monteiro, she relocated to Sao Paulo to support her son’s education. Her brother, who also works at the restaurant, was fortunately not present during the incident.
Located in the Bixiga neighborhood of Sao Paulo, Jamile is situated in an area historically known for its Italian restaurants due to the Italian immigrant population. The restaurant, spanning three floors, has been deeply affected by the tragedy, as chef Henrique Fogaca conveyed his sadness over the unfortunate event. Despite being abroad, Fogaca remains in constant communication with the restaurant staff, emphasizing support for the victims and their families.
Initially suspected to be a gas leak, investigations have ruled out this possibility. The gas distributor in the area, Comgás, shut off gas supplies as a precaution following the collapse. In a statement, Comgás expressed regret over the incident and offered cooperation in the investigation process to determine the root cause of the tragedy.