The accident occurred when a group of 28 firefighters was conducting an exercise in the Duas Bocas Cave, located on a private property in the municipality of Altinopolis.
“The roof of the cave fell,” and part of the group was trapped, the São Paulo Fire Department explained on Twitter. Initially, authorities spoke of 15 firefighters arrested.
According to the newspaper Or a balloon, five people are still missing and four fatalities have been reported, two of whom are women.
The rescue efforts, which were thwarted by heavy rain, involve about 75 firefighters, police and various members of the emergency teams.
Two military police helicopters are helping to get out of the cave, which is difficult to access and there is a danger of another collapse.
Sao Paulo Governor João Doria said on Twitter that he has identified “all the support and resources needed to rescue” the victims.
After the incident, the Secretary of State for the Internal Administration of Portugal has already “contacted the Brazilian diplomatic mission in Lisbon to express solidarity and concern about the situation.”
“Patricia Gaspard, who regrets the deaths, meanwhile, confirmed by local media, also expressed confidence that all efforts are being made to rescue the firefighters who are still in the cave and will continue to monitor,” you can read the note issued by the Ministry of the Interior …
