A minimum of 64 Fatally Wounded in Rio's Largest Security Action on Gangs

A minimum of 64 civilians were killed in a law enforcement action against the criminal organization Comando Vermelho in Rio de Janeiro's north zone - the biggest and most lethal operation in the area's records.

Four law enforcement personnel were included in the fatalities during the security mission in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, local authorities said. More than 80 people were arrested.

Intense confrontations commenced when around 2,500 security personnel entered the area on Tuesday early hours. The criminal organization responded with gunfire, burning barricades and using drone-dropped explosives, officials stated.

The International human rights organization said it was "shocked" by the security action, demanding "swift and comprehensive examinations".

Mission Consequences

The area of favelas near the city's international airport is seen as the main base of a major illegal networks.

Local authorities stated at least 50 of the deceased were "identified by authorities as alleged offenders".

Dozens of people were injured, including innocent bystanders trapped in shooting.

Local Reaction

Residents have compared the hillside area - housing around 300,000 individuals - to a "battlefield" since the operation began.

Roads remain closed in the entire neighborhood.

Criminal Expansion

The criminal network have been expanding their territory across the Rio state, expanding narcotics distribution networks and control of the hillside favelas.

Security forces reported more than 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were captured in the mission, in addition to multiple guns.

Raid Preparation

The joint operation by various security forces comes after a twelve-month inquiry.

Many of the individuals are believed to be participants in an organization from the northern region who are at the moment taking refuge in Rio de Janeiro.

Wider Perspective

Extensive security missions are frequent in the South American nation before important worldwide conferences in the South American nation.

The international environmental meeting the climate conference is taking place in the northern city of Belem in late autumn.