- Title: BRAZIL: German tourist shot in Rio de Janeiro slum neighbourhood
- Date: 1st June 2013
- Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (MAY 31, 2013) (REUTERS) SIGN FOR THE MIGUEL COUTO HOSPITAL WHERE SHOT GERMAN TOURIST WAS BEING TREATED POLICE CAR PARKED OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL DETAILS ON THE POLICE CAR INDICATING IT IS FROM THE ROCINHA FAVELA NEIGHBOURHOOD VARIOUS OF POLICE OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL VARIOUS OF ENTRANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NURSES AND PEOPLE GOING IN AND OUT EXTERIOR OF TOURIST POLICE STATION SIGN FOR TOURIST POLICE VARIOUS OF TOURIST POLICE STATION VARIOUS OF THE ROCINHA FAVELA NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE IN ROCINHA PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH STREETS OF ROCINHA MORE OF POLICE GENERAL OF AN INTERSECTION IN ROCINHA
- Embargoed: 16th June 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Brazil
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Crime
- Reuters ID: LVA79UFUV8ZBMZRETC10J5RVDXZH
- Story Text: A German tourist was in serious condition Friday (May 31) after being shot twice while visiting a pacified "favela" slum neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, according to local media.
The 25-year-old man, that local media identified as Frank Daniel Baijaim, was touring the Rocinha favela in the south end of Rio with a friend when they reportedly came across an armed man.
According to police who have spoken with the uninjured tourist, the two were frightened and ran from the gun-wielding man who then opened fire hitting Baijaim twice, in the arm and chest.
Baijaim was being treated for his injuries in the Hospital Miguel Couto where doctors said he remained in serious condition and was undergoing surgery.
No one was detained in connection with the incident.
The shooting is the latest in a string of violence against tourists in the Brazilian city which is gearing up for the much anticipated friendly match between England and Brazil this Sunday (June 2) at the newly renovated Maracana stadium.
The game comes just before the start of the Confederations Cup to be hosted in six Brazilian cities, including Rio, from June 15 to the 30th, which will see an influx of tourists in the country.
Security and safety have been a concern for organizers approaching the Confederations Cup which is considered a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup.
Rocinha, Rio's largest "favela," was occupied by police and security forces in a massive mobilization in November, 2011.
The pacification of the notorious hillside neighbourhood that overlooks some of Rio's swankiest areas was considered a crucial part of the city's preparations to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics two years later.
The sprawling hillside community, home to about 100,000 people, is often described as the largest slum in Latin America and was once believed to be the main drug distribution point in Brazil's second-largest city. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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