At least 1 person died and evacuation was forced in an explosion in front of the Brazilian Supreme Court

SAO PAULO — At least one explosion outside Brazil’s Supreme Court killed one person and forced judges and staff to evacuate the building in the capital of Brasilia, police and fire crews said.

In a statement made by the police, it was stated that an artifact exploded in front of the court, without providing further details. Local firefighters confirmed one person died at the scene but were unable to identify the victim.

Court judges and staff left the building safely following the incident, which occurred at around 19.30 local time, shortly after Wednesday’s session ended. Jorge Macedo, a judge at Brazil’s supreme court, confirmed the release to The Associated Press.

Footage was published in the local media suggesting that there were two explosions off the field, with 20 seconds between the first and second explosions.

The Supreme Court has been the target of threats in recent years over its crackdown on the spread of misinformation amid deep polarization in Brazil.

José Chrispiniano, spokesman for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said the 79-year-old leader was not in the neighboring presidential palace at the time of the explosion.

Police blocked all access to the area where Brazil’s Supreme Court, Congress and the presidential palace are located.

According to local media reports, the presidential security bureau is combing the land around the presidential palace.

Another explosion had previously been heard outside the Brazilian Congress, but it did not appear to cause any damage.