Police operation in Rio de Janeiro favela claims at least 18 lives

According to the police, the operation (https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/brazil/police-operation-in-rio-de-janeiro-favela-claims-at-least-18-lives/) aimed to combat a criminal group allegedly responsible for bank, car, and cargo robberies in the Méier, Irajá, and Pavuna neighborhoods.. According to police, 16 suspects, a police officer, and a local resident died.

The Civil and Military Police of Rio de Janeiro confirmed Thursday night (21) the deaths of at least 18 people after a police operation in the Complexo do Alemão favela. This information was given in a conversation with journalists.

The operation was carried out on Thursday morning by the battalions BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Especiais) and Core (Coordenadoria de Recursos Especiais da Polícia Civil).

The military police officer killed during the operation was 38-year-old sergeant Bruno de Paula Costa. According to the MP (Military Police), he worked in the region’s UPP (Pacification Police), which criminals would have hit in retaliation for the police operation