In Rio, Italian tourist killed in Santa Teresa favela

An Italian tourist was shot dead this Thursday (Dec. 8) when he mistakenly entered the Morro dos Prazeres community, in Santa Teresa, central region of the city. He was on a motorcycle, and his Italian friend was driving another motorcycle.

According to the command of the Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) in Santa Teresa, around 11am today, police officers received a complaint about the disappearance of two Italian tourists in the community. After a police siege, they found one of the bodies.

The second tourist was rescued without injuries by the military police officers, in one of the accesses to the community. Their motorcycles have also been found.

The searches are being made with the support of other Pacifying Police Units and Military Police battalions of the region. Teams of the Police Battalion in Tourist Areas are also providing assistance to the victim. The Homicide Division is also responsible for investigating the case.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta