A tumult on Rua da Consolação in central São Paulo during the simultaneous parades of the Acadêmicos do Baixo Augusta and DJ Calvin Harris blocos left revelers pressed and knocked down protective barriers on Sunday (8). The Baixo Augusta bloco criticized the city hall's lack of organization, while the municipal administration activated a contingency plan to address overcrowding. At least 30 people were treated for feeling ill, with no hospitalizations.
The carnival megablocos on Rua da Consolação drew a record crowd, estimated at 1.5 million by Acadêmicos do Baixo Augusta, but led to chaos due to overlapping events. The traditional bloco's parade, marking its 17th year and featuring artists like Péricles, KL Jay, Rael, Tássia Reis, Rom Santana, Dani Viegas, and Simoninha, was delayed over an hour for safety reasons after the Skol-sponsored bloco with DJ Calvin Harris took over the street.
Revelers described panic scenes: barriers were knocked down at Escola Paulista de Magistratura, people fainted, and a group of teenagers, including 16-year-olds Dante Granata and Matheus Del Debbio Fernandes, climbed walls and roofs to escape the suffocating crowd. "When walking, my leg got stuck and people fell on others," Dante recounted. Others, like 23-year-old student Bernardo Andrade, were dragged by the pressure: "I wasn't even standing, but I was being carried."
The decision to hold the blocos simultaneously, announced late January, raised concerns among residents and the Community Security Council, led by Marta Porta, who predicted space issues. Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB) had assured security and medical structures on January 27.
At 14:55, the city hall activated the contingency plan: readjusted protection lines, opened transversal streets for exits, blocked new entries, and removed barriers to improve mobility. The Municipal Guard (GCM) took the lead of the sound truck. The Military Police treated 30 people at the Fire Department without removals and advised avoiding the area around 16:00. Firefighters aided at least three on-site.
In a statement, Baixo Augusta regretted: "It's a huge lack of organization and failure to meet agreed schedules... the city's largest bloco was disrespected in a sad and violent way." The city hall noted that by 16:00, the parade continued without incidents, with medical posts operating.
During the event, plainclothes police dressed as 'Ghostbusters' arrested three suspects for phone theft, seizing 20 devices, as part of the Carnival Operation that has detained 18 criminals since the previous weekend.
