A construction worker assisting with the stage setup for an upcoming Shakira concert in Brazil was killed in a tragic accident, concert organisers have confirmed.
The Colombian-born singer is set to perform on Saturday (May 2) at a public concert dubbed ‘Todo Mundo No Rio’, which has become a major calendar event attracting millions of tourists to Copacabana beach to watch performers, who have previously included Lady Gaga and Madonna, present free concerts.
In a statement on Instagram translated from Portuguese, the event organisers said an accident on Sunday afternoon (April 26) “tragically claimed the life of a professional who was working on assembling the structures for the show”.
The statement continued: “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.”
The state fire brigade (CBMERJ) further confirmed to People that a worker suffered “crushing injuries to his lower limbs in a lifting system”, adding that before the arrival of emergency teams, “the victim had already been removed from the equipment by other employees present”.
Military personnel from the ambulance service of the third Maritime Group (GMAR-Copacabana) immediately began pre-hospital care on the victim, who was then transported to the Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital,” the statement continued.
“Despite the efforts of the rescue teams, death was confirmed.”
The tragic news follows Shakira announcing that she will be expanding last year’s international ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ tour, performing in select arenas across the US this summer following the free show on Copacabana Beach.
The previous dates saw the ‘Whenever, Wherever’ star have to postpone a show in Medellín due to stage safety concerns last year, and was also forced to reschedule a show in Lima, Peru on after being hospitalised. Following that, the singer went viral after falling on stage mid-performance, and then cancelled her WorldPride performance as well as a show in Houston, Texas.
It marked Shakira’s first tour in seven years and came in support of her 2024 album ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran‘.
