Copacabana residential building explosion leaves four injured

An explosion occurred on Wednesday afternoon in a 13-story residential building located on Rua Sá Ferreira in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. The incident resulted in four injuries, with victims suffering light to moderate wounds. Two of the injured individuals were transported to the Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital in Gávea.

Firefighters evacuated approximately 150 apartments to ensure resident safety. Following a structural assessment, the Municipal Civil Defense determined that the building was not at risk of collapse, though two second-floor apartments and part of the garage were cordoned off due to damage.

Naturgy, the gas provider, suspended service to the property as a safety precaution. The company noted that while they maintain the external network, the maintenance of internal appliances and installations is the responsibility of the consumer. The Civil Police are investigating the cause of the explosion.