Brazil Pavilion catches fire as Osaka Expo 2025 preview events take place
The Brazil Pavilion caught fire at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 on Friday evening after an otherwise successful test run of the event was held.
According to the Japan Association for the International Exposition and local fire department officials, the incident took place on the evening of April 4th at approximately 7:30 PM Japan Standard Time (JST), triggering an automatic fire alarm within the pavilion.
In response to the alarm, the Konohana Ward fire department dispatched a total of 16 fire engines to the Yumeshima Island venue, where the Expo is scheduled to open on Saturday, April 13, 2025.
However, upon their arrival at the scene, fire department personnel found that the fire had already been extinguished by staff members present at the Brazil Pavilion.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
While the exact details are still under investigation by the fire department and relevant authorities, preliminary reports indicate that the fire appears to have involved ceiling materials and electrical wiring within the Brazil Pavilion.
The extent of the damage caused is currently being assessed.
The incident occurred on the eve of a significant “test run” event being held at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site.
This test run, which started on Saturday, April 5, 2025, is designed to invite pre-selected visitors and thoroughly check the operational systems and logistical aspects of the Expo venue in anticipation of its official opening.
The event on April 5th marked the first occasion for participation by members of the general public.
A previous test run was held earlier on April 4th, the same day as the fire, but was reportedly limited to event stakeholders and personnel.
A considerable number of Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City residents who had successfully applied through a public recruitment process were granted early access to experience the Expo site.
Enthusiasm for the April 5th preview event was evident as a long queue formed at the east gate of the venue, situated adjacent to the Osaka Metro Yumeshima Station, well before the scheduled opening time of 9:00 AM JST.
The Japanese media was in attendance and among the attendees interviewed, a common theme was their excitement to see the various pavilions set up by foreign countries.
The Osaka Prefectural and City governments had jointly conducted a public recruitment campaign since the end of January, seeking approximately 40,000 participants for the two-day test run scheduled for April 5th and 6th.
The initiative attracted a high level of interest, with around 350,000 applications received.
Approximately 30,000 visitors are expected to attend on April 5th alone, including roughly 18,000 individuals who were selected through the public application process.
Despite the fire incident at the Brazil Pavilion on the preceding day, the Japan Association for International Expositions has stated that the test run on April 5th would proceed “as planned”.
The organizers did acknowledge that construction remains incomplete at numerous overseas pavilions, resulting in only a limited number of international participants being ready to take part in the test run activities.
The Brazil Pavilion itself was not scheduled to be part of the test run.
Authorities, including the fire department and police, are currently conducting a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the fire at the Brazil Pavilion.
The incident serves as a reminder of the logistical complexities involved in preparing a large-scale international event such as the World Expo, where numerous construction projects are still underway despite the event being due to open shortly.
The organizers focus remains on ensuring the safety and readiness of the venue for its official opening on April 13th, with testing and preparation events taking place to address any unforeseen incidents that may arise during the final stages of development.
Source: MBS News, Asahi Shimbun, Expo 2025 Official Website
Images: © City of Osaka, instagram.com/brazilexpo2025/, MBS News
