Tourists trapped in favela during police operation in Rio de Janeiro
Around 60 tourists were trapped at an observation point in the Dona Marta favela during a police operation in Rio, while a man was injured by stray gunfire.
Tourists trapped in favela during police operation in Rio de Janeiro
Around sixty people, including foreign visitors, were trapped at an observation point in the Dona Marta favela, in the Botafogo neighbourhood, in Rio de Janeiro, when police forces entered the area to execute dozens of arrest warrants.
The incident occurred early in the morning, when visitors had gone to the location to watch the sunrise. Suddenly, gunfire broke out that lasted around twenty minutes, causing the tourists to take shelter.
A 43-year-old photographer who was at the location described the terror experienced: "There were around sixty of us and the gunfire lasted twenty minutes". He emphasised that the tourists were caught in the crossfire, as police invaded from one side and suspects returned fire from the other.
A man was injured by stray gunfire, while the others remained trapped at the location until the operation was completed. The authorities had issued around forty arrest warrants for members of a faction operating in the favela.
The Dona Marta favela, located in the south zone of Rio, is a popular destination for tourists due to the panoramic view it offers. The incident highlights once again the risks involved in visits to areas controlled by criminal organisations.
Source: Proto Thema