Brasília Ministries Building Reopens After Substation Blast as Investigation Proceeds

Overview

• The Bloco C complex regained power around midnight after distributor repairs and reopened Wednesday, with firefighters planning a return visit to conduct a forensic inspection.
• Emergency crews evacuated the site Tuesday; authorities reported roughly 27–31 people treated for smoke exposure, with at least six taken to hospitals and one suffering burns over about 60% of the body.
• Officials say the incident began during a CEB Ipes intervention in a shared-use substation, and the injured worker is a third‑party technician who was using recommended protective gear.
• The building houses teams from six ministries, including Equality, Women, Indigenous Peoples, Development Agrário, Social Development, and Management, which had shifted to remote work during the shutdown.
• In a separate Esplanada incident, a suitcase that triggered a bomb response near the Science and Technology ministry was opened by BOPE and found to be empty.