Police‑gang shootout traps tourists at Rio’s Morro Dona Marta viewpoint

In the early hours of Tuesday, Rio de Janeiro police launched an operation against the Comando Vermelho criminal gang in the favela of Morro Dona Marta, a popular sunrise viewing spot. An exchange of gunfire erupted between police and gang members, lasting about 20 minutes and forcing roughly 60 tourists to seek shelter on the hill. A bus passenger was hit by a stray bullet, and tours of the viewpoint were suspended until further notice.

The incident marks the second time this year that a police raid in Rio has directly affected visitors; in April, more than 200 tourists were trapped for two hours during a raid on Morro Dois Irmãos. Authorities say the operation resulted in dozens of arrests, the seizure of around 480 weapons and over 51,000 rounds of ammunition, and is part of a broader crackdown that earlier in October left more than 120 people dead in favela clashes.