Americas News
Police occupy Rio's City of God slum after bus attack
Mar 3, 2010, 20:57 GMT
Rio de Janeiro - An estimated 100 police officers moved into the City of God slum in Rio de Janeiro Wednesday, hours after criminals set a crowded bus on fire.
Officials said alleged drug traffickers, who were recently expelled from the 'favela,' or slum, hurled a Molotov cocktail at a bus late Tuesday, apparently reacting to an arrest earlier in the day.
Thirteen of the 20 bus passengers suffered burn injuries, and five remained in hospital Wednesday.
The City of God slum gained international notoriety in 2002 through a film of the same name, which was directed by Brazilian Fernando Meirelles and was nominated for four Academy Awards in 2004.
The favela has been one of the early targets of efforts by Rio state authorities to 'free' communities controlled by drug gangs through police occupation and social work.
In 2016, Rio de Janeiro is to host the first Olympic Games ever held in South America.
Coronel Djalma Beltrame, the militarized police commander in the area, said his men restored calm to the slum early Wednesday, although they were yet to identify suspects for the bus attack.
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