The Arrival and the Alert
Flávio Bolsonaro’s arrival at the TV Bandeirantes debate on Sunday (18) took an alarming turn when the vehicle carrying the candidate was abandoned in the parking lot following a bomb scare.
The incident occurred in the main lobby parking area of the Band studios in the Morumbi neighborhood of São Paulo. The zone is strictly reserved for official vehicles belonging to the candidates’ security entourages.
Mobilization of the Bomb Squad
The Special Tactical Actions Group (Gate) rushed to the scene after being summoned by the Legislative Police, who handle security for Flávio, who is a senator of the Republic. Investigators deployed trained dogs to sweep the vehicle for potential explosives, prompting an immediate security perimeter expansion.
According to Captain Victor Capello Haddad, commander of the São Paulo Bomb Squad and head of the operation, the canine unit flagged a chemical signature during the initial sweep.
“Feita a primeira varredura, os cães passaram e ambos detectaram algum componente químico que os fez sinalizar positivo para um componente químico que pode ser utilizado para a confecção de algum artefato explosivo,” Captain Victor Capello Haddad stated.
Perimeter Expansion and Search
That initial detection forced security forces to lock down the area. Officers widened the security perimeter to protect everyone inside the facility and conducted a painstaking, thorough search of the automobile.
“Por isso que nós tivemos que fazer o devido isolamento para preservar a segurança de todos aqui dentro, inclusive a nossa. A gente aumentou o perímetro e demandou um tempo um pouco maior para que a gente fizesse uma busca mais minuciosa, até ter a notícia de fato de que aquilo são só misturas que volatilizaram e traíram a noção dos cães,” Haddad explained.
Laboratory Analysis and Clearance
Investigation ruled out any explosive device. Officials determined that volatile chemical mixtures had tricked the dogs.
“Um dos componentes pode ser, provavelmente, amônio ou um perclorato, ou algo que indicou para o cão, nesse caso, que poderia ser uma bomba, mas não era. Então, o ambiente está seguro,” Haddad concluded.
Following the clearance of the vehicle and the surrounding grounds, authorities confirmed that the environment had returned to a secure state.
Aftermath and Campaign Continuity
While the bomb squad investigated the vehicle, the political candidate’s itinerary continued under modified arrangements. Flávio Bolsonaro departed the television debate premises in a separate automobile.
São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas accompanied the senator as he left the studio grounds.
