I thought I was going to die because the water was up to my chest and the hole was so deep — Woman recounts after falling into open manhole while walking to work

A video that has gone viral online shows the terrifying moment a woman fell into a manhole while on her way to work in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The woman, identified as Fabiana Rosa, had just gotten off a ride-hailing motorcycle and was walking toward her workplace while looking at her phone when the incident occurred.

CCTV footage shows her stepping onto a manhole cover, which suddenly gave way. She slipped and fell into the opening as the cover swung back into place above her.

A motorcyclist who had dropped her off witnessed the incident and immediately rushed to help.

The accident reportedly happened at 7:41 a.m. on May 31 in Rio de Janeiro.

Fabiana was later taken to the hospital for treatment. She recounted the terrifying experience, saying:

“I thought I was going to die, because the water was up to my chest and the hole was so deep.

“I stepped on the edge of the hole, on the metal, and just went straight in. The cover flipped, hit my forehead, and I fell inside.

“The motorbike driver saw me falling. So he got off the bike and came over, because I was calling for help.

“The residents came, got a ladder from the bakery, and pulled me out.

“I’m in a lot of pain, sore all over – my forehead, arm, leg, backside, chest. I can’t get out of bed.

“I keep thinking that if it had been a child in my place, they would have died, because a child wouldn’t be able to stay there, with all that water and cables, and it’s so deep.”

Investigators believe the accident may have been linked to suspected theft activity in the area. CCTV footage from earlier in the morning reportedly showed two men tampering with the manhole cover around 1:59 a.m.

Authorities suspect the individuals were attempting to steal copper cables from the drainage system. Although they left without taking anything, one of them allegedly replaced the cover without properly securing it.

Officials also confirmed that another nearby manhole cover had been removed in the area.

In response, the Tijuca Subprefecture stated: “The equipment has already been put back in place, and the maintenance department has been called in to ensure it is properly secured and to guarantee road safety.”

See video below………

Woman Falls Into Open Manhole While Walking to Work

A video that has gone viral online shows the terrifying moment a woman fell into a manhole while on her way to work in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The woman, identified as Fabiana Rosa, had just gotten off a ride-hailing… pic.twitter.com/pd3AzuVmtZ

— Iamelizabeth (@elizabethblogng) June 2, 2026