[Sportschosun reporter Jang Jong-ho] A woman in her 20s died in Brazil after falling during a bungee jump without a safety cord attached.
According to local media outlets, including O Globo, the fatal fall occurred on the 13th local time at Skeleton Bridge in Limeira, São Paulo state, Brazil. The victim, 21-year-old Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, died at the scene.
The site is known as a popular destination for tourists seeking bungee jumping.
Freitas fell about 40 meters, and her fiancé, who was at the scene, reportedly witnessed the fall.
Investigators said the accident happened because the bungee operator failed to attach the key piece of equipment, the bungee cord, to Freitas's safety harness.
A witness who filmed the incident was also heard shouting in panic, "There is no rope."
Investigators found that just before the accident, Freitas had posted on her Social Network Service (SNS), "What kind of crazy person let me jump off a bridge?"
She appeared to be jokingly expressing excitement ahead of the bungee jump, but the post became a tragic final message just hours later.
Police have arrested a total of six people in connection with the case. Three of them were site operators at the time of the accident, and some suspects reportedly fled immediately afterward before being caught following a search. The investigative authorities are focusing on whether safety rules were followed and whether the operator bears liability for negligence.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
