巴西国家博物馆，拉丁美洲最重要的博物馆之一，在周日晚上7:30开始的大火中被完全烧毁。它收藏了2000多万件与美洲历史有关的藏品，其中许多化成灰烬。
里约时报上的一篇报道显示，博物馆于星期日正常运作，并于下午五时关门，即大火开始前两个半小时。起火的原因还没有确定。
巴西人和非巴西人都在推特上表达了他们的悲痛和愤怒，政府抢救不当，受到民众强烈的抨击。有报道称消防栓空空如也，消防队员不得不从附近的一个湖里抽水来灭火。以下是Twitter网友的评论：
Reporter at the scene of the Museu Nacional fire says firefighters are having trouble containing the blaze because there’s no water in the fire hydrants. https://t.co/O9nkxFmRAG
— Rachel Glickhouse (@Riogringa) September 3, 2018
The Museu Nacional tragedy isn’t just about the institution’s funding and upkeep, but the city’s, too. There wasn’t water in the fire hydrants, so firefighters resorted to pumping water out of the nearby lake and calling in water tank trucks. https://t.co/83In6t1dOV
— Rachel Glickhouse (@Riogringa) September 3, 2018
Fourty years ago, same negligence destroyed the iconic Museum of Modern Art in Rio, with most of its collection. pic.twitter.com/EM8hQEqD6A
— Lúcia Guimarães (@luciaguimaraes) September 3, 2018
A massive #fire has hit the 200-year-old Rio de Janeiro National Museum. There is no information yet on potential deaths, injuries, the cause of the fire or extent of the damage. pic.twitter.com/q6PMQJDbRX
— The Brazilian Report (@BrazilianReport) September 3, 2018
该博物馆建于1818年，最近于6月庆祝了它的200周年纪念。
新闻来自 CNN 和 The Rio Times