A woman was killed and five others were injured after part of the Jamile Restaurant collapsed on Wednesday morning in São Paulo’s Bela Vista neighborhood. The accident occurred shortly before opening hours, when staff were preparing the venue for lunch service.
Staff Area Collapses Before Opening Hours
According to the São Paulo Fire Department, the collapse affected the restaurant’s internal mezzanine, an area used exclusively by employees. The victim was initially rescued alive but suffered a cardiac arrest and did not survive. The other five victims were taken to nearby hospitals with minor injuries.
Witnesses described hearing a loud crash that drew the attention of pedestrians along Rua 13 de Maio. Within minutes, teams from the Fire Department, Civil Defense, and Military Police arrived at the scene. Ten rescue vehicles were deployed in total.
Opened in 2015, Jamile became known for its menu created by celebrity chef Henrique Fogaça, a longtime judge on MasterChef Brasil. From abroad, Fogaça issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and their families.
“My full solidarity goes to the victims and their families,” he said. “The priority now is to ensure proper care for everyone affected and to investigate what happened.”
Fogaça’s representatives clarified that he is not the restaurant’s owner and serves only as a culinary consultant responsible for the menu.
The accident occurred before customers arrived, preventing a higher death toll. Employees said the collapsed mezzanine was restricted to staff use.
Civil Defense authorities have sealed off the building and temporarily evacuated neighboring properties. The cause of the structural failure remains under investigation, though officials ruled out the possibility of a gas explosion.
Located in the Bixiga district, one of São Paulo’s most traditional dining areas, Jamile is part of a neighborhood famous for its Italian restaurants and bohemian culture—a symbol of the city’s deep-rooted culinary identity.