Nine gunmen assaulted the Intercontinental Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, took 35 people hostage, and gave up after a shoot out that left one woman dead.
The gunmen, presumed to be part of a drug trafficking gang, were on the run from the police minutes before barging into the hotel.
The police, a team of Special Forces and sharpshooters arrived and surrounded the area. A shoot out ensued killing one unidentified woman before the hostages were released.
The Intercontinental is a popular tourist destination hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The nationalities of the hostages are unknown at this time pending future release.
The U.S. Department of State advices U.S. citizens to exercise caution as Rio de Janeiro has a high incident of crime. Street thefts and robberies in areas adjacent to major tourist attractions and on the main beaches in the city are common. Adding that robbers and rapists are known to slip incapacitating drugs into tourist’s drinks at bars, hotel rooms, or street parties.
Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and victims are advised to relinquish personal belongings rather than resist or fight back. Tourists should choose lodging carefully, considering security and availability of a safe to store valuables, as well as location.
Comments
That is horrible news that someone got shot during the gunmen attack in Brazil. You never know where is safe anymore.
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