18 killed in Rio crime wave

At least 18 people have died in gang warfare swept across Rio de Janeiro early on Thursday (December 28th) morning.

The attacks were primarily on police stations and outposts but civilians were also caught up in the violence, thought to have been orchestrated by imprisoned gangland leaders.

Handguns, grenades and automatic weapons were used and in one incident, seven people were killed when a bus was set alight.

Roberto Precioso, head of Rio's public safety department, said: "It is very difficult to prevent these types of attacks that were practically kamikaze. Police action prevented the situation from getting much worse."

He added that he believes the violence was an attempt to destabilise the city before the new state governor is sworn in on January 1st.

Around 156,000 Britons visit Brazil each year primarily for its stunning beaches and thriving nightlife but increasing numbers are travelling to the country for its unique brand of eco-tourism, which takes tourists up the Amazon River, deep into the world's largest rainforest.

The Foreign Office warns travellers about the high levels of crime in Brazil but claim that Sao Paulo is usually the worst affected.