In the early hours of Saturday, a significant crater emerged in the Rocas neighborhood of Natal as a result of a water pipeline rupture. The incident occurred at the intersection of São Jorge and São Sebastião streets, particularly affecting the stairway in front of the Sagrada Família Cathedral. Residents reported that water began to cascade down the slope forcefully, indicating a substantial breach in the water supply infrastructure.

The Companhia de Águas e Esgotos do Rio Grande do Norte (Caern) attributed the event to a leak in the old asbestos cement pipeline, which had been further damaged, necessitating its replacement. The leak was reportedly contained by the morning, with repair efforts initiated shortly after. The response involved isolating the affected area around 5 a.m., which required vehicles of all sizes to divert to alternative routes, disrupting local traffic.

Repair operations were underway on Saturday afternoon, with the Caern spokesperson emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Residents of the affected area expressed concerns about similar incidents in the future, highlighting the need for upgrades to the aging water supply system in Natal to prevent further infrastructure failures.