Explosions in Brasilia leave one dead ahead of G20 summit

Brazil’s Supreme Court was evacuated on Wednesday night after two explosions nearby, resulting in one fatality in a square close to Congress and the presidential palace, police reported, raising security concerns just before the country is set to host the G20 summit.

These blasts occurred five days ahead of the Group of 20 leaders’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, followed by an official visit to Brasilia by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The first blast took place in a car park near the Supreme Court. Justices had recently concluded a plenary session and were promptly and safely evacuated, the court confirmed in a statement. Federal police deployed a bomb squad to investigate the explosions in central Brasilia.

On social media, the country’s solicitor general characterised the blasts as an “attack.”

A police officer informed local media that the deceased man found in the square was carrying an explosive device, so his body would be carefully examined to avoid any risk of another detonation.

The explosions were heard around the Plaza of the Three Powers, an iconic square in Brasilia that links Brazil’s three main government branches. This same location was the site of riots on 8 January the previous year, when supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in protest over his election loss.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had departed from the executive palace on Wednesday evening shortly before the explosions occurred.