Lucimar das Neves, survivor of 1987 Goiânia cesium‑137 accident, dies at 53

Lucimar das Neves Ferreira, age 53, was found dead on Saturday 25 July 2026 in the Cidade Satélite neighbourhood of Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás. He was the brother of Leide das Neves, the child whose death became the symbol of the 1987 Goiânia cesium‑137 radiological disaster. The cause of Lucimar’s death has not yet been disclosed and will be determined by the Institute of Medical Legal (IML).

Lucimar was 14 years old when he was exposed to the radioactive material during the September 1987 accident, one of the most severely affected survivors. He received state and federal pensions as a recognized victim. The accident began when two scrap‑metal collectors dismantled an abandoned radiotherapy unit, releasing about 19 grams of cesium‑137, leading to four immediate deaths and contaminating more than a thousand people.

The death has revived memories among the Association of Cesium‑137 Victims (AVCésio). President Marcelo Santos Neves said, “We recall all the hardships this accident caused; now we must give maximum support to the family.”