Emergency services at the scene. Photo: Handout/SUR in Engish
A man has died after falling into his father’s grave when a gravestone reportedly gave way as he sat on it at a cemetery in Brazil.
Metro UK reports on Thursday that the incident occurred shortly after 2.30pm on Wednesday at Sao Jose Municipal Cemetery in Linhares, in the state of Espirito Santo, northern Brazil.
The man, believed to be around 40 years old, had visited his father’s grave before attending the burial of a friend who died in a traffic accident the previous day.
He reportedly sat on top of the gravestone, but it gave way, causing him to fall into the grave beneath.
Other cemetery visitors reportedly rushed to help after hearing a loud noise.
An ambulance was called, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A gravedigger, Nazare Bravin, said the man arrived at the cemetery, asked where his friend’s burial would take place, parked his motorcycle and walked towards his father’s grave.
The victim has not been publicly named but was identified locally as the husband of a worker with the Linhares municipal council.
A police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death was ongoing on Thursday, Metro UK reported.
In a statement, the Linhares Council expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and friends.
“We regret the incident that occurred yesterday afternoon at Sao Jose Cemetery in the Interlagos neighbourhood and express our solidarity with the family and friends at this time of grief,” the council said.
It added that cemetery staff contacted the emergency ambulance service, Samu, and the fire brigade after the incident.
“The team that works inside the cemetery, which was on site, called the Samu ambulance service and the fire brigade, but despite their efforts to save this man, the victim unfortunately passed away,” the statement said.
The council also urged visitors to exercise caution as cemeteries prepare for increased activity ahead of the All Souls’ Day holiday.
It said the local authority was responsible for the administration, cleaning and maintenance of public cemetery spaces, while the cleaning and maintenance of individual tombs and graves remained the responsibility of families.