Lightning strike injures 89 at pro-Bolsonaro rally in Brasilia

A massive political rally in Brazil's capital turned chaotic on Sunday after a lightning strike directly hit the gathering, causing dozens of injuries. The event, organized in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro, was taking place at the Praça do Cruzeiro in Brasilia amid severe thunderstorms.

Mass Casualties and Emergency Response

According to official reports, at least 89 people sustained injuries from the sudden electrical discharge. Firefighters treated the injured at the scene before transporting 47 individuals to nearby hospitals for further medical attention. Authorities confirmed that most of those hospitalized have since been discharged, with seven patients remaining in stable condition. The injuries varied in nature; 11 people were struck directly by the lightning, while 36 others suffered secondary injuries, including falls, sprains, and hypothermia triggered by the harsh weather conditions during the demonstration. Video footage widely shared on social media captured the moment the lightning struck the dense crowd.

Brazil's Notorious Lightning Activity and Safety Concerns

The incident has ignited a debate over public safety during large outdoor events in Brazil, which holds the unenviable title of the world's lightning capital. Data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) indicates the country experiences an average of about 78 million lightning strikes annually. On the day of the rally, INPE recorded at least 64 lightning strikes in the Federal District where Brasilia is located. Osmar Pinto Junior, coordinator of INPE’s Atmospheric Electricity Group, criticized the decision to proceed with the demonstration, stating that the event "should have been postponed or canceled due to the severity of the storm" and called for stricter safety protocols for public gatherings.

Broader Context and Medical Realities of Lightning Strikes

The Brazilian Ministry of Health notes that the survival rate from a direct lightning strike is exceptionally low, at around 2%. However, injuries are more commonly caused by ground currents that spread radially from the point of impact, which likely explains the high number of non-direct strike injuries at the rally. This rare but dramatic event underscores the powerful intersection of natural phenomena and political activity, highlighting the significant risks of holding large-scale outdoor events without adequate weather monitoring and contingency plans.