Dozens of individuals supporting President Jair Bolsonaro were injured by a lightning strike in Brasilia, Brazil. The incident occurred near the JK Memorial on Monumental Axis road as the group awaited a march by Bolsonaro’s backers. Approximately 72 people received medical attention, with 30 being hospitalized, including eight in critical condition, according to the Federal District Fire Department. Emergency responders, already present at the scene, swiftly set up a first aid tent to assist the injured.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene following the lightning strike, with people falling to the ground and scrambling for safety. Sales representative Alfredo Santana recounted the confusion and swift response of firefighting and medical teams. Several hospitals, including the Federal District Base Hospital and Asa Norte Regional Hospital, treated the injured, with reports of burns and injuries among the patients.
The supporters of Bolsonaro had participated in a week-long march titled “Walk for Freedom and Justice,” led by opposition congressman Nikolas Ferreira and other conservative politicians. The march concluded in Brasilia after covering a distance of approximately 240km from Paracatu. Bolsonaro, currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for involvement in a coup plot, was convicted last September for conspiring to retain power after losing the 2022 election to his rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.