A peaceful sunrise hike in Rio de Janeiro suddenly turned into a frightening experience when gunfire broke out during a police operation. What started as a calm morning quickly became tense, leaving hundreds of tourists stuck on a hilltop.
Tourists Stranded During Police Operation
More than 200 tourists were left stranded on a popular hiking trail at Morro Dois Irmãos. The group had gathered early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise view above Ipanema Beach.
However, their plans were interrupted when a police raid began in the nearby Vidigal favela.
Police Targeted Criminal Group
The operation was carried out by police teams from Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. Their main goal was to arrest suspected members of the criminal gang Comando Vermelho.
Authorities believed some gang members were hiding in the Vidigal area, which led to the early morning raid.
Gunfire Forces Tourists to Take Cover
As the operation started, gunshots were heard from the favela below. Tour guides quickly asked tourists to sit down and stay low to avoid danger.
Videos from the scene showed dozens of people sitting quietly at the top of the hill while a police helicopter flew overhead. The situation created panic, but guides tried to keep everyone calm.
A tourist shared that they had just been enjoying the sunrise when suddenly they were told to stay down due to gunfire.
Roads Blocked During the Operation
During the raid, suspects reportedly blocked nearby roads using a bus and trash containers. This made it difficult for people to enter or leave the area, adding to the tension.
The blockage also delayed movement for both locals and authorities.
Situation Brought Under Control
After some time, police managed to control the situation. The tourists were then safely guided down the trail without any injuries reported.
The operation, called “Duas Rosas II,” led to at least one arrest. Officials said the arrested person was linked to the gang’s financial activities.
