✓ verbatim from the press
The City Hall of Limeira (SP) began on the morning of June 17, 2026, closing irregular access points to the Esqueleto Bridge, four days after the death of Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, thrown from a height of about 40 meters in a rope jump — without being attached to the safety ropes. The work, which began at 6:30 AM, reinforces emergency measures at the structure, deactivated 30 years ago and located on the border between Limeira and Cordeirópolis, until the Federal Government implements definitive solutions. The Union's Heritage Secretariat (SPU), responsible for the bridge since May 2026, is discussing with local governments the possible removal of the structure. ✓
Press quotes (4)
"A Prefeitura de Limeira (SP) iniciou, na manhã desta quarta-feira, 17, uma nova operação para restringir o acesso à Ponte do Esqueleto, local onde a jovem Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, de 21 anos, morreu após ser lançada de uma altura de cerca de 40 metros sem estar presa ao equipamento de segurança durante um salto de rope jump."
"Segundo a administração municipal, os trabalhos começaram às 6h30 e incluem o fechamento de acessos considerados irregulares à estrutura."
"A Secretaria do Patrimônio da União (SPU), órgão do Ministério da Gestão e da Inovação em Serviços Públicos (MGI), discute com os governos locais a eventual remoção da ponte, que está localizada na divisa entre os municípios de Limeira e Cordeirópolis, no interior de São Paulo."
"A SPU nunca autorizou qualquer atividade esportiva ou de outra natureza na ponte do Esqueleto. O processo de incorporação da ponte ao patrimônio da SPU só foi autorizado em 2026."
According to the Civil Police, the group operating the rope jump had no formal company. As reported by duty police chief Andréa Dantas to G1, "from what I found out, there is no company. It's a group of people who met through this sport, who ended up coming together and for approximately a year have been doing these events in various destinations." Six people were detained; three instructors, arrested in flagrante delicto, remain imprisoned and could not explain to police why Maria Eduarda was launched without the ropes — claiming not to remember whose obligation it was to attach them. The SPU stated it never authorized any sports or other activities on the bridge, and the Civil Police confirmed that the group had no authorization from the Limeira City Hall to conduct activities at the site. ✓
Press quotes (4)
"O grupo responsável pela atividade de rope jumping que terminou com a morte de uma jovem de 21 anos em Limeira (SP) não possuía empresa formal, segundo a delegada plantonista Andréa Dantas. De acordo com a polícia, os organizadores eram praticantes do esporte que promoviam eventos havia cerca de um ano."
"Seis pessoas foram detidas. Em depoimento à polícia, os três instrutores, que foram atuados em flagrante e seguem presos, não souberam explicar o motivo do erro. A delegada responsável pelo caso afirmou que eles se mostraram desnorteados e alegaram não se recordar de quem era a obrigação de colocar a corda..."
"A SPU nunca autorizou qualquer atividade esportiva ou de outra natureza na ponte do Esqueleto. O processo de incorporação da ponte ao patrimônio da SPU só foi autorizado em 2026."
"a empresa envolvida no salto não tinha autorização da prefeitura para realizar atividades no local"
The bridge had already been the scene of serious accidents. On August 31, 2025, ten months before Maria Eduarda's death, two women were seriously injured after falling from the structure — one suffered very serious injuries and was taken to the hospital in critical condition; the other had multiple fractures, according to G1. At the June 15, 2026 meeting between representatives of the SPU, the Attorney General's Office (AGU), and the city halls of Limeira and Cordeirópolis, the municipal administration reported that it had opened a trench to prevent access to the site, but that the trench was closed without the knowledge or authorization of the municipal management. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Duas mulheres ficaram gravemente feridas, na tarde deste domingo (31), após caírem da chamada 'Ponte do Esqueleto'... A perícia técnica realizou levantamentos iniciais para apurar as circunstâncias do acidente."
"Na reunião, a prefeitura de Limeira relatou que havia sido aberta uma valeta para impedir o acesso ao local e que a vala foi fechada sem conhecimento de sua administração."
Both city halls advocate for the immediate demolition of the structure. According to the mayor of Limeira, Murilo Félix, the area has presented known risks for many years and, even though closed off, continued to attract people. The SPU confirmed it will continue discussing a definitive solution with local governments. Permanent structural works — including the construction of containment walls, maintenance of trenches, and other closure measures — remain the responsibility of the Federal Government. Entry to the site is a crime because the area is not open to public access. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"As duas prefeituras defenderam a demolição da estrutura de propriedade da União."
"a prefeitura de Limeira relatou que havia sido aberta uma valeta para impedir o acesso ao local e que a vala foi fechada sem conhecimento de sua administração."
"A entrada no local é crime porque a área não é de acesso público."
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, died on June 13, 2026, after being thrown from a height of about 40 meters in a rope jump at the Esqueleto Bridge, without being attached to the safety ropes.
Three instructors were arrested in flagrante delicto and remain imprisoned. Six people were detained in total.
The Esqueleto Bridge is located on the border between Limeira and Cordeirópolis and was deactivated for vehicle traffic about 30 years ago.
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (3)
Two women were seriously injured at the Esqueleto Bridge on August 31, 2025, ten months before Maria Eduarda's death.
The group operating the rope jump had no formal company, according to duty police chief Andréa Dantas. The organizers were sport practitioners who had been promoting events for about a year.
The City Hall of Limeira had opened a trench to prevent access to the bridge, but the trench was closed without the knowledge or authorization of the municipal administration.
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Who closed the trench that the City Hall of Limeira had opened to prevent access to the bridge?
Why it's still unknown: The City Hall reported that the trench was closed without its knowledge or authorization, but no source identifies who was responsible for closing it.
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What safety measures had the Federal Government taken before Maria Eduarda's death, since taking ownership of the bridge in May 2026?
Why it's still unknown: The SPU confirmed the incorporation of the bridge into its assets in May 2026, but no source details actions taken between May and June.
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What is the exact chronology of previous accidents at the Esqueleto Bridge, besides the one on August 31, 2025?
Why it's still unknown: The mayor of Limeira stated that the area has presented known risks for many years, but only one previous accident (August 2025) was documented by the consulted sources.
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What happened to the two women injured on August 31, 2025? Was there an investigation or accountability?
Why it's still unknown: The G1 article from August 2025 reports the accident and mentions technical expert examination, but no subsequent source reports the outcome of the investigation.
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How many other people participated in the rope jump on June 13, 2026, before Maria Eduarda?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not specify whether there were successful jumps before the fatal accident, information relevant to understanding whether the error was isolated or systematic that day.