Rio de Janeiro BRT Station Under Fire: Passengers' Terrifying Escape

Rio de Janeiro Police Operation Sparks Terror: Passengers Duck for Cover Amidst Gunfire Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – A large-scale police operation in the Complexo de Israel on Tuesday morning, June 10, 2025, sent shockwaves through the city as passengers of a BRT Transbrasil station found themselves caught in the crossfire. Videos circulating on social media show terrified passengers scrambling to take cover as intense gunfire erupted nearby. The operation, aimed at arresting at least 70 members of the Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP) drug trafficking group, caused widespread disruption. "It was terrifying," said one passenger who wished to remain anonymous. "We were all just trying to protect ourselves. People were crying, praying, it was chaos." The resulting road closures on Avenida Brasil and Linha Vermelha created significant traffic jams in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, prompting the city's Operations and Resilience Center (COR) to raise the city's alert level to Stage 2 (out of 5). The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by residents in areas affected by organized crime. The video footage, while disturbing, provides a stark reminder of the realities of life in these communities and underscores the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of violence and crime. The police operation, while successful in apprehending several suspects, serves as a reminder of the risks associated with such operations in densely populated areas.