BRAZIL: Vietnamese diplomat and three Chinese tourists who were kidnapped in Rio de Janeiro and taken to a slum, manage to escape their captors

Record ID: 640865

  • Title: BRAZIL: Vietnamese diplomat and three Chinese tourists who were kidnapped in Rio de Janeiro and taken to a slum, manage to escape their captors
  • Date: 19th August 2008
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE
  • Embargoed: 3rd September 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Reuters ID: LVA4V29H2EV6Q9YJ33BPS0EB5XHX
  • Story Text: A Vietnamese diplomat and three Chinese tourists who were kidnapped at gunpoint on their way to Rio de Janeiro's famed Christ the Redeemer statue on Saturday (August 16), managed to escape from their captors a day later.
    The victims were ambushed in broad daylight by a group of heavily armed men wearing black ski masks on the remote, windy road that climbs Corcovado mountain to Rio's best-known tourist site.
    Vu Thanh Nam, a Vietnamese Embassy official, was riding in a taxi with some visiting relatives when the gunmen appeared. A van carrying the Chinese tourists was also stopped on its way to the statue.
    What initially appeared to be a hold-up turned into a kidnapping when Vu revealed he was a diplomat, prompting the gunmen to abduct him and the three Chinese tourists.
    The victims reappeared unharmed but shaken on Sunday afternoon after escaping from the house where they were being held in one of Rio's roughest slums, Complexo do Alemao.
    Nam said he managed to flee the house by making a hole in the ceiling.
    "There was a hole on the ceiling and we escaped. Two Chinese (tourists) went one way and I ran the other way with the other Chinese and we were lucky to find a car," he told reporters.
    A sultry, seaside metropolis with breathtaking views, Rio is Brazil's most popular tourist destination. But the city is as well known for its high crime rates as it is for its beautiful beaches.
    According to Police Chief, Fernando Veloso, investigations were progressing.
    "The DAS (Anti kidnap department) is giving support, the Federal Police is giving support, the Intelligence Secretary is giving support, the Tourism Secretary, there are several units involved in this case," he said.
    The violence has become so bad in some shantytowns that Rio's state governor has requested federal troops be sent to patrol the streets and ensure safety during upcoming municipal elections.
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