[durt]

In a tragic event in Rio de Janeiro, a helicopter crash claimed the lives of four police officers. The incident occurred above the infamous City of God favela. During the crash, which was caught on video, loud sounds of gunfire were audible before the helicopter plummeted, narrowly avoiding a busy road below.

The officers were in the helicopter providing support for a police crackdown on gang activities within the favela. This operation was part of a larger initiative launched on Sunday in the western part of Rio, involving arrests and drug confiscations.

The area had seen multiple confrontations between police and gangs on Saturday. The wreckage of the helicopter, visibly damaged and smoldering, was shown in the footage, and firefighters were seen retrieving the bodies of the deceased officers.

A police spokesperson mentioned that forensic experts were investigating the crash site to determine its cause. Eyewitness Thiago Duarte described the scene, recounting how the helicopter seemed to be deliberately avoiding crashing into populated areas, ultimately going down in a ditch.

The police continued their operations in the City of God favela on Sunday, supported by an armored vehicle, leading to further arrests and drug seizures. Roberto Sa, Rio's state security secretary, stated that the police were probing a turf war between two favela gangs.

This incident, if confirmed to be a shootdown by gang members, wouldn't be the first of its kind in Rio. Notably, in 2009, a police helicopter was shot down by drug traffickers, resulting in a crash on a football field that killed both pilots.

Violence in Rio has been escalating over the past two years, marked by a significant increase in murders and the resurgence of drug gang activity in the favelas, despite previous efforts to suppress them.

[kellyhound]

like a war zone there

[Hunted]

no auto-rotation there.... just dropped like a rock

[kellyhound]

aftermath

[kellyhound]

filmed with a dashcam

[William May]

Well, to me it looks like he was pretty high to have been shot down by a bullet. Airplanes are pretty hard to actually hit. Because he was spinning, it looks to me like he lost his tail rotor control. Why no auto-rotation I can't say. Maybe his transmission locked up. (But even then it should have free-wheeled) It does look like it is completely out of control on the way down, however.

[kellyhound]

moment heli got shot at.

[murofhsirgo]

I really cant blame these folks. if I were born into that kind of impoverishment, with no guidance, I would have no doubt become thug