A lightning strike has injured dozens of people at a rally in support of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the nation’s capital, Brasilia. The incident occurred on Sunday as demonstrators gathered to call for Bolsonaro’s release from prison, where he is being held on charges related to a failed coup attempt following the 2022 presidential election.
According to local officials, at least 72 people were affected by the lightning strike, with 30 taken to hospitals and 42 treated at the scene. Eight people are reported to be in serious condition. The gathering, which began in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, moved to Brasilia, where it briefly disrupted traffic. Protesters, equipped with raincoats and umbrellas, sang Christian hymns amid heavy rainfall before the lightning strike hit the crowd, causing panic.
The rally was organized by Congressman Nikolas Ferreira, who has called for “amnesty” for Bolsonaro and others convicted in connection with the failed coup attempt. Bolsonaro’s case stems from an alleged plot to undermine public trust in Brazil’s electoral system, which prosecutors say began in 2021. After his defeat to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the 2022 election, his supporters allegedly stormed and vandalized buildings housing the nation’s three branches of government on January 8, 2023.
Bolsonaro, 70, has been in custody since November, after attempting to tamper with his electronic ankle monitor while under house arrest. His legal team is currently appealing his conviction, which he denies. The case has drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump calling Bolsonaro’s prosecution “politically motivated” and imposing tariffs on imports from Brazil. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has condemned the US pressure tactics, accusing Washington of interfering in Brazil’s internal affairs.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in Brazil following the 2022 presidential election and the failed coup attempt. The situation remains volatile, with Bolsonaro’s supporters continuing to protest his detention. As the case unfolds, it is likely to have significant implications for Brazil’s political landscape and its relations with other countries.
