Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – An explosion at a bus stop on the Ilha do Governador island in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, March 20, 2026, injured eight people, with two in critical condition. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges with public safety and the presence of homemade explosives in the region.
According to reports, the explosion occurred around 1:00 PM local time when a bus driver opened a backpack left at the transit point on Travessa Costa Carvalho, near the Naval Fusiliers Base. The driver inadvertently detonated an improvised explosive device inside the bag, injuring himself and seven others.
Six of the injured are bus drivers, according to Rio Ônibus. All eight victims sustained injuries to their lower limbs. Five were transported to the Municipal Hospital Evandro Freire, also on Ilha do Governador, and three to Getúlio Vargas Hospital in Penha.
Police identified the explosive as “caliça,” a homemade device constructed with bicycle pedals, gunpowder, glass shards, and nails. Authorities believe a drug user left the backpack at the bus stop.
The area was immediately cordoned off by the Special Resources Coordination (Core) Bomb Squad. An investigation is underway, and the case has been registered with the 37th DP (Ilha do Governador). Bus lines 323, 910, 634, and 328, which all terminate at the location, were affected by the incident.
The explosion follows a similar incident reported earlier today, with a grenade exploding on Ilha do Governador and leaving six injured, according to G1.
