A woman walking her dog in Brazil experienced a terrifying fall into a manhole after a loose cover gave way. The incident was captured on CCTV.
Details of the Incident
Juliana Mara Schiel, 21, was walking her dog, Pitu, on Sunday evening in Cuiabá, central Brazil, when a paving slab that appeared identical to surrounding ones suddenly gave way, swallowing her into the manhole below.
The footage shows Ms Schiel disappearing from the footpath, leaving Pitu alone on the pavement, barking in distress. Ms Schiel soon called for help after realizing she was injured and was eventually attended to by passers-by.
Injuries and Aftermath
Speaking to local press, Ms Schiel said: 'It didn't feel real. I was really confused. The first thing I did when I managed to grab my phone was call my mum. I think I was there for about two or three minutes before help arrived, but it all happened very quickly.'
In the fall, Ms Schiel broke some of her teeth and was taken to hospital, where she received stitches to her mouth and chin. She is currently eating only soft, cold foods while recovering from her mouth injuries. She added: 'My shoulder still hurts quite a lot. I also twisted my ankle and ended up covered in scrapes and bruises all over my body.'
Dog's Role and Response
Ms Schiel praised Pitu for her role in the rescue, saying: 'I think she helped people notice because she was on a lead and stayed close by.' Despite the ordeal, Ms Schiel considers herself lucky. She said: 'When I watched the video afterwards, I thought it could have been much worse. If it had been a child or an elderly person, the consequences might have been even more serious.'
Official Response
Cuiabá's Department of Infrastructure and Public Works released a statement following the incident: 'To ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers, the area will be properly signposted on Monday (18 May) afternoon. Between 2025 and 2026, around 500 manhole covers have already been replaced or reinstalled by the municipality, most of them due to structural damage and breakage.'
