Shooting, explosions and tensions in Rio de Janeiro: police operation against drug trafficking has left at least 25 dead in favela

At least 25 dead were left on Thursday by a police operation against drug traffickers in a favela in Rio de Janeiro and several other people were injured, including two passengers in the metro around the area where the clashes took place.

According to the police, man in uniform died minutes after being hit by a bullet in the head and 14 suspects died during the operation. The figure then rose to 25 deaths in total, according to the Brazilian portal G1. Two other soldiers were also injured in the shooting in this Brazilian city.

The intense armed clash took place in the early hours in the northern part of the city, in the Jacarezinho slum, one of the most depressed and violent communities in the city, when around 200 police officers were sent to crack down on a gang of drug traffickers.

According to the authorities, the drug gang that controls the area recruits minors to carry out criminal actions. The faction is under investigation for murders, thefts and kidnappings.

Favela residents reported that, In addition to shootings, explosions were heard in different parts of the community, which forced them to stay at home.

The helicopters supported the actions of the air uniforms and some criminals managed to flee on the roofs of houses.

Until noon the state of health of the two civilians injured in the metro was unknown by a bullet that went through the window of one of the cars.

According to witnesses to the events, two men were hit by the same projectile, one on one arm and one on the head.

The Jacarezinho favela is one of the Comando Vermelho bases (red order), the largest drug trafficking gang in Rio de Janeiro.

Clashes between rival drug gangs, as well as between them and militiamen (paramilitaries) and the police, are common in several of the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, one of the cities most punished by drug trafficking in Brazil.

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