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Lightning Strike Injures 89 at Pro-Bolsonaro Rally in Brasilia
A lightning strike injured at least 89 people at a political rally supporting former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Brasilia. The rally occurred during heavy rain, raising questions about public event safety.
The event took place at Praça do Cruzeiro amid severe thunderstorms. Videos shared on social media show the lightning hitting the crowded rally, causing panic and injuries.
Casualties and Emergency Response
Officials reported that 11 people were directly struck by lightning. 36 others suffered injuries such as falls, sprains, or hypothermia due to the bad weather. Firefighters treated victims on site and transported 47 to hospitals. Most have been discharged, and seven remain in stable condition.
Brazil’s Lightning Risk
Brazil experiences an average of 78 million lightning strikes every year, making it the world’s lightning capital, according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). On the day of the rally, INPE recorded 64 lightning strikes in the Federal District, where Brasilia is located.
Osmar Pinto Junior, coordinator of INPE’s Atmospheric Electricity Group, said organizers should have canceled or postponed the rally. Experts urge stricter safety rules for large outdoor events.
Medical Facts About Lightning Strikes
The Brazilian Ministry of Health says only about 2% of people survive a direct lightning strike. Most injuries occur from ground currents spreading from the strike. This explains why most rally injuries were not direct hits.
The incident highlights the risks of large outdoor gatherings during severe weather. Organizers must plan for storms and monitor weather to protect attendees.
