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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'Thirteen die' in Rio slum battle | 'Thirteen die' in Rio slum battle |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 13 people have been killed in clashes between police and gangsters in a slum in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, authorities have said. | At least 13 people have been killed in clashes between police and gangsters in a slum in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, authorities have said. |
| Guns and grenades were used in the fighting, with armoured vehicles and helicopters backing police units. | Guns and grenades were used in the fighting, with armoured vehicles and helicopters backing police units. |
| The violence began when more than 1,000 policemen advanced on Alemao, the slum stronghold of a drug-dealing gang. | The violence began when more than 1,000 policemen advanced on Alemao, the slum stronghold of a drug-dealing gang. |
| Rio de Janeiro officials are trying to make the city safer before it hosts the Pan-American games on 13 July. | Rio de Janeiro officials are trying to make the city safer before it hosts the Pan-American games on 13 July. |
| Some 5,500 athletes and around 800,000 tourists are expected to visit the city for the games. | Some 5,500 athletes and around 800,000 tourists are expected to visit the city for the games. |
| Barricades | Barricades |
| The police had been surrounding the slums in northern Rio, known as the German Complex and home to some 100,000 people, since 2 May. | The police had been surrounding the slums in northern Rio, known as the German Complex and home to some 100,000 people, since 2 May. |
| Initial reports put the death toll at 18. Police said all the dead were suspected drug dealers and officials defended the operation. | |
| "We must retake control of the slums and instil public order. The goal is to put an end to the traffickers' arsenals," state public safety secretary Jose Mariano Beltrame said. | "We must retake control of the slums and instil public order. The goal is to put an end to the traffickers' arsenals," state public safety secretary Jose Mariano Beltrame said. |
| Up to 1,300 officers were involved, the majority heavily armed and wearing flak jackets and some driving in reinforced vehicles. | Up to 1,300 officers were involved, the majority heavily armed and wearing flak jackets and some driving in reinforced vehicles. |
| Gang members set up barricades and created oil slicks to slow down the police assault. | Gang members set up barricades and created oil slicks to slow down the police assault. |
| Caught in cross-fire | Caught in cross-fire |
| The BBC's Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo says the police face a formidable opposition as many members of the drug gangs have high-calibre weapons. | The BBC's Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo says the police face a formidable opposition as many members of the drug gangs have high-calibre weapons. |
| In a recent exchange of gunfire a man was killed at a petrol station up to 2km (1.2 miles) from where the shot was originally fired. | In a recent exchange of gunfire a man was killed at a petrol station up to 2km (1.2 miles) from where the shot was originally fired. |
| More than 30 people have been killed and 80 injured since the police first surrounded the German Complex last month. | More than 30 people have been killed and 80 injured since the police first surrounded the German Complex last month. |
| The operation has been criticised by local community groups and human rights organisations and it is clear local people have been suffering considerably, our correspondent says. | The operation has been criticised by local community groups and human rights organisations and it is clear local people have been suffering considerably, our correspondent says. |
| Schools have often been closed as well as shops in the area and local residents have often been caught in the gunfire. | Schools have often been closed as well as shops in the area and local residents have often been caught in the gunfire. |