Shakira Crew Member Dies After ‘Crushing’ Accident
Tragedy on Copacabana Beach: Crew Member Dies After ‘Crushing’ Accident During Stage Setup for Shakira Concert
RIO DE JANEIRO — Preparations for a highly anticipated free concert by Colombian superstar Shakira have been struck by tragedy, following the death of a crew member during stage assembly on Copacabana Beach.
The accident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday 26th April, as workers were finalising the massive stage structures for the Todo Mundo no Rio concert, scheduled for this coming Saturday 2nd May.
‘Crushing Injuries’
According to the Rio de Janeiro state fire brigade (CBMERJ), the worker suffered severe "crushing injuries to his lower limbs" while operating a lifting system. Eyewitnesses described a scene of sudden panic as the structure reportedly collapsed.
“Out of nowhere, we saw people running,” local resident Antonio Marcos Ferreira dos Santos told news agencies at the scene. “People were saying that a man had been trapped underneath. They rushed over to pull him out.”
Emergency services, including the 3rd Maritime Group’s ambulance team, provided initial trauma care on-site before transporting the man to the Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, the professional was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Official Response
Organisers behind the Todo Mundo no Rio concert series, Bonus Track, issued a formal statement via social media shortly after the incident, expressing their deepest condolences to the victim’s family.
“The event organisers confirm that an accident this Sunday afternoon tragically claimed the life of a professional who was working on assembling the structures for the show,” the statement read. “At this time, we are providing all support, comfort, and solidarity to the responsible company, its team, and the victim's family.”
As of Monday evening, Shakira has not issued a personal statement regarding the tragedy.
A Massive Undertaking
The Todo Mundo no Rio concert, a free public event, has previously served as a stage for global icons such as Madonna and Lady Gaga, often drawing crowds exceeding one million people. The setup on Copacabana Beach has been a massive logistical undertaking, involving weeks of construction to accommodate the scale of the performance.
The concert remains a major focal point for the city’s tourism board, though authorities have not yet indicated whether the tragedy will impact the scheduled date of the performance. A police investigation into the mechanics of the lifting system and the safety protocols in place at the time of the collapse is expected to commence immediately.
