Two explosions outside Brazil’s Supreme Court on Wednesday killed a man and forced the justices and staff to evacuate the building in the capital of Brasilia.
The court said in a statement that two very strong blasts were heard at about 7:30 p.m. local time, shortly after Wednesday’s session had finished. It added that all the justices and staff left the building safely after the incident.
A police statement had said earlier that an artifact exploded outside the court. Local firefighters confirmed that one man died at the scene but did not identify him.
Local media reported that the second explosion occurred about 20 seconds after the first.
The incident took place in Brasilia’s Three Powers Plaza, where Brazil’s main government buildings, including the Supreme Court, Congress and presidential palace, are located.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not in the neighboring presidential palace at the time of the blasts, spokesperson José Chrispiniano said.
Police blocked all access to the area, and the presidential security bureau was conducting a sweep of the grounds around the presidential palace.
Brazil’s federal police force said it was investigating and did not provide a motive.
The Supreme Court in recent years has become a target for threats by far-right groups and supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro due to its crackdown on the spread of false information. Justice Alexandre de Moraes in particular has been a focus for their ire.
Earlier, another explosion was heard outside Brazil’s Congress, but it apparently did not cause damages.
