Brazilian police reported they stopped a planned bomb attack aimed at the massive free concert by Lady Gaga in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night. Authorities stated a group intended to attack attendees at the show on Copacabana Beach.
According to a statement from police, the plot targeted "children, adolescents, and the LGBTQIA+ community." Police said two individuals allegedly involved in the plan were arrested during raids across different states.
Police indicated the individuals were recruiting participants online, including teenagers, to carry out the bombing using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails. The alleged plan aimed to frame the attack as a "collective challenge" to gain notoriety on social media platforms.
The free concert drew more than 2 million people to Copacabana Beach, making it the largest show of Lady Gaga's career. Anticipation built for days beforehand, with fans gathering on the beach days earlier.
Police identified one arrested person as the alleged leader of the group. Another teenager was arrested for storing child pornography, police said. Authorities executed 15 search warrants targeting nine individuals in multiple cities and seized electronic devices and other materials.
A representative for Lady Gaga told The Associated Press that the artist's team learned of the threat through media reports on Sunday morning. They stated there were no known safety concerns or communication from police or authorities regarding potential risks before or during the show.
Lady Gaga commented on the concert itself, calling it a "historical moment."
"Thank you Rio for waiting for me to come back. Thank you little monsters all over the world," she said, referring to her fanbase. "I love you. I will never forget this moment."
Last year, Madonna held a similar free concert on Copacabana Beach, which an estimated 1.6 million people attended that show.
