A devastating fire at a camp affiliated with Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) in the state of Para resulted in nine fatalities and eight injuries on Saturday night, as reported by the movement on Sunday. MST attributes the incident to a short circuit in the electrical network during the installation of internet wiring at the rural farmers’ camp in Parauapebas.
The short circuit occurred around 8 p.m. local time, igniting power cables and some camp structures when an antenna made contact with the high-voltage network.
Of the nine casualties, six were camp residents, and three were employees of the internet company involved in the installation. Eight others sustained injuries, with seven discharged from the hospital, while one remains hospitalized with second-degree burns but is not in critical condition. The MST confirmed that the local fire brigade successfully contained the fire.
The MST, known for advocating land distribution in Brazil, had established the camp in proximity to a 60,000-hectare farm in the region, which they allege is the result of land grabbing. Despite the tragedy, camp members mentioned during a press conference that they are receiving government aid, including water and food distribution and assistance with funerals.
In response to the incident, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva directed his agrarian development minister, Paulo Teixeira, and head of lands rights agency Incra, Cesar Aldrighi, to travel to the city on Sunday to provide comprehensive support on behalf of the federal government to the affected families.
