1 dead, 2 injured after floating Christmas tree collapses in Brazil

One worker was killed and two others were injured in Brazil on Monday after a floating Christmas tree they were setting up collapsed during a thunderstorm, according to local officials.

The 184-foot-tall display was being set up in the coastal waters at Lagoa de Aractiba in Maricá, a municipality in Rio de Janeiro. It was blown over by strong winds and crumbled near the shore. Debris scattered in the water as the display broke apart, leaving bits and pieces floating around the lagoon.

Bystanders on the beach and other workers rushed to the nearest dock to help as the tree collapsed but it was too late.

The tree, one of Maricá’s most popular tourist attractions that boasts a staggering 360,000 lights, was set to be switched on during an official ceremony on Dec. 18.

Emergency responders were able to rescue the two injured workers, but the third was later pronounced dead following transport to a local hospital.

The killed worker was a local 21-year-old, Maricá Mayor Fabiano Horta wrote in a post on X.

The worker was later identified as as Vinicius dos Santos Abreu, according to an official note from Maricá Town Hall.

Civil Defense officials in Maricá had issued a warning in advance of the impending storm. The crew putting the tree together began to evacuate as fast as they could, but the storm rolled in too quickly.

The tree was knocked over in a matter of seconds, Horta said.

The municipality will hold two days of mourning until Thursday. All Christmas lights programming will be suspended through Thursday as well, Horta said.

Police are continuing to investigate the tragedy.