A tragic accident has struck just days before Shakira’s highly anticipated concert in Brazil. A crew member was killed on April 26 while assembling the stage for the “Todo Mundo no Rio” event at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. According to organizers, the worker suffered severe injuries during the construction process and later died at the hospital. In an official statement, event organizers confirmed that “an accident… tragically claimed the life of a professional working on the assembly of the show’s structures.”
First responders provided immediate aid at the scene before the victim was transported to Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Local authorities reported that the worker sustained crushing injuries to his lower limbs while operating a lifting system. Colleagues on-site were able to remove him from the equipment before emergency teams arrived.
A witness described the moment as chaotic, saying people suddenly began running after part of the structure collapsed, trapping the worker underneath before others rushed to help.
Organizers added that they are providing full support to the victim’s family, along with the team and company involved in the stage construction.
The concert, scheduled for May 2, is expected to be one of the biggest performances of Shakira’s career. The Copacabana Beach venue has historically drawn crowds of up to 2 million people for major events featuring global stars.
So far, Shakira’s team has not issued a public statement regarding the incident.
The tragedy highlights the often unseen risks behind large-scale live events. While audiences experience the spectacle, crews work under intense conditions to build massive stages and productions, making safety a critical concern in the entertainment industry.