New Delhi, June 15 -- Brazilian authorities have launched an investigation after a 21-year-old woman died in a bungee jumping accident in Sao Paulo state, with preliminary reports indicating that a critical safety cord may not have been attached before she was launched from a bridge.

The victim, identified as Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, was participating in a rope-jumping activity at the Ponte de Esqueleto, or Skeleton Bridge, in the city of Limeira on 13 June. Witnesses told police that the organisers failed to secure the safety equipment before the jump, resulting in her falling approximately 40 metres.

According to local reports and police accounts, Freitas had travelled to the site with her fiance and was taking part in the ...