Explosion in Esplanade leaves seriously injured; 27 are being evaluated

Three workers were hospitalized, one of them with 60% of their body burned, after an explosion at the Esplanade of the Ministries on Tuesday morning (11/25). The victims were performing maintenance on the power substation that supplies the building housing the Ministries of Racial Equality and Agriculture and Livestock. The entire building had to be evacuated by the fire brigade. Meanwhile, firefighters were assisting the workers injured in the explosion and also ministry employees who had inhaled a lot of smoke. By 11:40 a.m., the victim count was: Two workers with burns, one in serious condition taken to the Regional Hospital of Asa Norte (Hran); One worker who went down to rescue friends, taken to Hran with smoke inhalation; 27 ministry workers attended by firefighters with smoke inhalation; Three ministry workers taken to the hospital (firefighters did not specify which one).
CEB IPes statement CEB IPes reports that the control panel responsible for activating the lighting at the Esplanade of the Ministries is located inside the shared substation with the power utility. On Tuesday, during maintenance work, an accident occurred involving a subcontractor wearing flame-resistant clothing and all recommended PPE. He received immediate care from the Fire Department and was taken to the hospital. CEB IPes is closely monitoring the situation of the service provider and emphasizes that the substation is completely under control.
Federal government statement The Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI) reports the incident that occurred on Tuesday morning (24) in the external area of Block C at the Esplanade of the Ministries in Brasilia. The incident began with an electrical short circuit due to an intervention carried out by CEB IPES in the substation located in the external area on the west side of block C. Due to the short circuit, there was a small fire that was extinguished by the building’s fire brigade teams and the Military Fire Department. Smoke entered the interior of block C and an immediate evacuation was necessary. The responsible teams acted quickly following the evacuation protocol. A CEB technician was more seriously injured and taken to the hospital, as well as 6 people for smoke inhalation. According to the Fire Department, another 20 people were treated at the scene. Military Police and Fire Department continue at Block C. The Ministry of Innovative Public Services MGI, responsible for the administrative management of Block C – which houses six ministries (MGI, MDA, MDS, MIR, Women’s Ministry, and MPI) – requested that the leaders of these agencies instruct their workers to telecommute today.