Rio de Janerio, October 18: At least 12 people were killed and a helicopter was downed in fierce clashes between drug gangs and police in Rio de Janeiro, weeks after the city won its bid to host the 2016 Olympics.
Two policemen were killed and two others were wounded early yesterday when their helicopter was shot down by drug gangs in a day of running battles in the slums of northern Rio, said military police commander Mario Sergio Duarte.
During exchanges of fire with police throughout the day, eight gang members lost their lives and six others were wounded, including two civilians, a policeman and three gang members, a Public Security Secretariat official said.
Nine buses were also set on fire in other neighbourhoods close to “Morro dos Macacos” favela, in retaliation for a police operation aimed at controlling heavy gun battles between rival drug gangs in the area.
Rio’s win to host the 2016 Olympic Games, the first ever to be held in South America, is a serious challenge for the city, hit by endemic urban violence. Some 6,000 people were murdered here in 2008 alone.
Yesterday the dramatic clashes erupted as gangs in the neighbouring “Morro do Sao Jao” favela tried to invade Morro dos Macacos and seize control there, officials said.
A police helicopter pilot was then hit in the leg by gunshots and had trouble landing, Major Oderlei Santos said.
The aircraft exploded shortly after landing and only two policemen – including the pilot – were able to get out in time. The other two passengers were burnt to death.
–Agencies