Osasco Plaza Shopping tragedy turns 30 today; remember

On June 11, 1996, an explosion due to a gas leak accumulated under the floor of the Osasco Plaza Shopping food court, in the center of the city of Osasco, Greater São Paulo, caused the death of 42 people and injuries to more than 370 patrons.

The impact of the detonation destroyed part of the structure and walls, being heard in several neighboring neighborhoods. The case, which turns 30 this Thursday (11), marked the city's history and had national repercussions.

In the legal sphere, the process resulted in the acquittal, in 2005, of five accused due to lack of evidence, although the STJ (Superior Court of Justice) guaranteed the payment of compensation to the victims and their families.

The event motivated new inspection and security standards in shopping centers in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.

Part of the roof of a shopping mall in Osasco (SP) collapses and vehicles fall | CNN 360º

Other cases
In addition to the 1996 explosion, the project faced other structural problems over the years.

In 2015, intense rain caused a plasterboard to fall from the ceiling of the food court, leaving no injuries.

Ceiling collapses in shopping mall and vehicles fall into corridor | CNN PRIMETIME

More recently, in March 2023, part of the parking slab collapsed onto the corridor near the cinema. On that occasion, three vehicles fell inside the building.

Movement of firefighters and paramedics around the Osasco Plaza Shopping, in Osasco, Greater São Paulo, where part of the roof of the shopping center collapsed near the food court and cinema - VINICIUS NUNES/AGÊNCIA F8/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO
The place was evacuated minutes before and there were no victims, but the mayor of Osasco, at the time, ordered a total closure and the revocation of the mall permit for full technical inspections.

Source: CNN