Substation Blast Triggers Fire at Brazil’s Ministry of Racial Equality

Overview

• Firefighters evacuated and isolated the Block C building on the Esplanada dos Ministérios as crews worked the rescaldo.
• A contracted worker suffered burns on about 60% of his body, three people were transported to hospitals, and roughly 27 others received care for smoke inhalation.
• Preliminary accounts indicate third‑party technicians were servicing the substation when the blast occurred, with witness videos showing the moment of the explosion.
• Neoenergia said it was called only to support firefighters and denied involvement, while CEB IPES noted the shared-use substation and identified the severely injured man as a subcontractor.
• Separately, BOPE examined a suspicious suitcase at the Science and Technology Ministry and found it empty, leading to the area’s release after standard procedures.