Photo Credit: Shakira (@todomundonorio / Instagram)
A crew member who was setting up for Shakira’s upcoming Brazil concert died in a stage accident on Sunday, according to concert organizers.
Concert organizers for Shakira’s upcoming performance in Brazil revealed that a construction worker who was helping set up for the show died in a stage accident on Sunday. Translated from Portuguese, the statement from Todo Mundo No Rio posted to social media confirmed the accident and that the worker passed away at the hospital after first responders provided initial care at the scene.
“The event organizers confirm that an accident this Sunday afternoon (April 26) tragically claimed the life of a professional who was working on assembling the structures for the show,” the statement read. “First responders provided initial care at the scene, and the Fire Department was immediately called to transport the patient. Unfortunately, the professional passed away at the hospital. At this time, we are providing all support, comfort, and solidarity to the responsible company, its team, and the victim’s family.”
A witness, 51-year-old Antonio Marcos Ferreira dos Santos, told the press that “out of nowhere, [he] saw people running. And when we looked, the structure was on the ground.” He added that “a man [had] gotten trapped underneath,” and people were rushing to “pull him out.”
Shakira was announced as the headliner back in February for this year’s Todo Mundo No Rio in Brazil. The event is a major free concert held in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, on May 2.
This year marks the third annual concert after Madonna christened it in 2024 with a record-breaking 1.6 million attendees—the largest crowd of her storied career. Lady Gaga headlined the second year, with a whopping 2.5 million attendees, making it not only the biggest crowd of her career but the largest concert for a solo female artist in history. Madonna’s show generated over $60 million for the local economy, while Lady Gaga’s performance brought in over $109 million.
Earlier this year, Rio mayor Eduardo Calaviere made headlines when he banned Chappell Roan from ever performing at the concert after the singer was the subject of an awkward encounter with the stepdaughter of celebrated Brazilian soccer player Jorginho.
