A suspected suicide attack shakes the Brazilian capital! Two explosions occurred in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday (local time). The country’s Supreme Court was evacuated.
According to preliminary information, a man first tried to break into the courthouse in the government district before killing himself with an explosive device. This was stated by the Vice Governor of the Federal District, Celina Leão.
The man approached the court, “tried to enter, failed and the explosion occurred at the entrance,” Leão continued. According to initial findings, it was a “suicide”.
Celina Leão speaks to members of the press after the explosions
A second Explosion I had previously blown open the trunk of a car parked nearby that was said to have belonged to the attacker. Police used a bomb disposal robot to search the area for additional explosive devices.
Detonations every 20 seconds
According to eyewitnesses, the two detonations occurred about 20 seconds apart. The identification of the dead person is still pending as the risk of further explosives on the body cannot be ruled out, the police said. The investigation into the exact circumstances and motives of the incident was ongoing.
A car that was damaged in the explosion is parked in a parking lot
Attorney General calls incidents an “attack”
According to a Supreme Court statement, the justices had just finished a plenary session and were able to safely evacuate. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had left the nearby presidential palace a few minutes before the explosions. Brazil Attorney General described the incidents on social media as an “attack.” Vice Governor Leao said she hoped it was the act of a “lone wolf” but could not say for sure.
The site of the attack was cordoned off over a large area
The militarypolice is on site and is searching the area and has cordoned off everything. The crime scene, the “Square of the Three Powers,” was the scene of riots in January 2023, when supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in protest against his election defeat.
The explosions occurred a few days before the meeting G20Heads of state in Rio de Janeiro, followed by a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Brasilia, raising questions about security.