Crew member dies in stage accident ahead of Shakira concert in Brazil
A crew member has died after suffering severe injuries while setting up the stage for an upcoming Shakira concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, organizers confirmed on Sunday.
According to a statement from the official Todo Mundo No Rio Instagram account, the incident occurred on April 26 during preparations for the large-scale free concert event scheduled to take place at Copacabana Beach.
“The event organizers confirm that an accident this Sunday afternoon tragically claimed the life of a professional who was working on assembling the structures for the show,” the statement said.
Emergency responders were called immediately to the scene, and the injured worker was transported to hospital. Despite medical efforts, the individual was later pronounced dead.
Authorities from the Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Brigade said the worker suffered “crushing injuries” to the lower limbs after an incident involving a lifting system used during stage construction. They added that the victim had already been pulled free by colleagues before emergency services arrived.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic at the site, saying people rushed to help after part of the stage structure reportedly collapsed during setup.
The event organizers expressed condolences, stating they are providing support to the victim’s family and cooperating with the company responsible for the stage construction.
Shakira, who is scheduled to perform at the free concert on May 2, has not yet publicly commented on the incident.
The Todo Mundo No Rio event is a major annual music celebration held in Rio de Janeiro, transforming Copacabana Beach into a large open-air stage. Previous editions have featured global artists, including Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga in 2025.
Shakira had recently shared excitement about her upcoming performance, teasing surprises for fans ahead of the show.
The investigation into the fatal accident is ongoing.
