EDITOR’S PICK
EKO HOT BLOG reports that an anti-crime operation in a Rio de Janeiro slum left at least 22 people dead Tuesday, a year after the bloodiest-ever favela raid in the city’s history.
A further seven people were hospitalized, according to health officials, while police said one of the victims was a female bystander felled by a stray bullet.
Military police said they came under gunfire as they approached the northern Rio slum of Vila Cruzeiro in the early morning hours with the mission of locating and arresting “criminal leaders.”
The toll doubled from the initially reported 11 deaths as more bodies were uncovered in the aftermath.
Police said at least 11 of the dead were “suspects.”
At least 19 schools in the area closed because of the gunfire, residents said.
Police helicopters were also struck by bullets during the deadly exchange.
Police often carry out raids in Rio’s teeming slums in a bid to fight drug trafficking.
FURTHER READING:
This time, they said they were looking for gang leaders from other parts of Brazil hiding out in Vila Cruzeiro.
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