Suênia Maria Tomé Bezerra, 51, has died after being one of five people trapped in rubble after a floor at a famous Brazilian restaurant collapsed in Sao Paulo with an investigation underway
A cook at a famous Brazilian restaurant tragically died after being one of six people trapped in rubble when a floor collapsed.
Suênia Maria Tomé Bezerra, 51, was working at the Jamile restaurant in the centre of Sao Paulo when the accident happened on Wednesday with the mezzanine floor giving way. The restaurant is run by chef Henrique Fogaca, who is well known for being a judge on the Brazilian ‘Masterchef’ show, and the victim had been working there for about three years.
She became trapped in the debris and died from her injuries despite the efforts of paramedics who arrived at the restaurant. Firefighters told of the difficulty in carrying out the rescue due to the amount of rubble but five other people were pulled out alive.
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Currently the restaurant is cordoned off with an investigation underway into the cause of the building collapse. Friends of Ms Bezerra wrote on social media: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce Suênia’s passing.
“May Jesus comfort our hearts in the face of this irreparable loss. Her smile remains etched in our memories.”
She is originally from Paraiba in Monteiro where she had a business selling birthday cakes but moved to Sao Paulo after her only son began medical school there. Her brother also works at the restaurant but was not present when it collapsed.
Jamile is located in the Bixiga neighbourhood of Sao Paulo, an area home to a number of restaurants, particularly Italian having been a hub for Italian immigrants. The restaurant is spread over three floors and after the tragedy Mr Fogaca told how sad he was over what had happened.
A statement issued read: “Fogaça expresses his full solidarity with the victims and their families, reaffirming that his main concern at this time is the well-being of everyone involved and ensuring they receive the necessary assistance.
“Although he is out of the country, the chef maintains constant contact with those responsible for the restaurant and is closely monitoring the situation, supporting the thorough investigation into the causes of the incident, in collaboration with the competent authorities.”
It was first thought that the building collapse was caused by a gas leak but that has now been ruled out. Comgás, the distributor in the area, had turned off the gas as a precaution following the incident.
It later issued a statement saying: “So far, there is no correlation between the gas and the incident. The company regrets the incident and remains at the disposal of the authorities and the customers to assist in investigating the cause of the incident.”