After Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga in 2025, it is now Shakira’s turn to take center stage at the famous Copacabana beach for the annual event “Todo mundo no Rio”! Expected this Saturday, May 2, this free concert promises to attract a huge crowd, following in the footsteps of previous editions. It is set to kick off the low tourist season in Rio de Janeiro. However, just as the singer’s fans eagerly anticipate her performance, a tragedy has darkened the preparations for her giant concert.
On Sunday, April 26, a technician lost his life while setting up the stage on the beach where the star is scheduled to perform for free. For several weeks, teams were working on erecting a monumental structure on the sand, and it was during these operations that an accident occurred. The man had his legs crushed “in a lifting system”, according to firefighters, as reported by the Swiss media outlet “20 minutes”. Despite being quickly rescued by his colleagues and taken to the hospital, he unfortunately did not survive his injuries.
Unfortunately, the technician succumbed during the preparation of Shakira’s concert in Rio, as stated in a brief statement by Bonus Track, the company responsible for the event. The scene was described as surprisingly brutal for bystanders, with witnesses recounting how they suddenly saw people running, and when they looked, the structure had collapsed. This tragedy comes amid a tense atmosphere surrounding the event.
A few days earlier, on April 13, 2026, authorities had to intervene on the Copacabana promenade after the discovery of an “explosive device”. Local media reported it was a stun grenade, a non-lethal device meant to disorient temporarily. This is not the first time the mother of two sons has performed in Brazil, as she was there last year for her tour “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” based on her album released in 2024.
Meanwhile, Shakira’s tour has recently sparked another form of controversy. During a concert, widely shared on social media, footage showed a cameraman stumble and fall right in front of the singer as she was heading towards the stage. Surprised at the moment, the artist bypassed the man on the ground without stopping and continued her performance.
This reaction has divided internet users, some expressing surprise at her lack of assistance while others mentioned tight timing. The tragic accident on Sunday, April 26 adds to this ongoing controversy and now puts the spotlight on the scheduled event on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the iconic Brazilian beach. The star has not yet addressed this terrible accident on her social media platforms.
