Rio safety concerns after tourist attack
A female US tourist has been kidnapped, raped and robbed on a minibus in Rio de Janeiro, police said, highlighting security concerns in the Brazilian city that will host matches in the 2014 World Cup.
A male foreign tourist on the public minibus was also held captive and robbed, according to Rio police.
CNN reported that the two boarded the minibus in the Copacabana beach district in Rio de Janeiro early Saturday. Three men subsequently boarded the minibus and forced all the other passengers off, police said.
The woman was raped, and the two passengers’ credit cards were used at multiple locations inside and outside of Rio de Janeiro over a span of hours, the police said in a statement.
According to Rio police, two men have been arrested and a third man is being sought in connection with the attack.
Rio de Janeiro has launched a citywide offensive against crime, particularly drug-fueled violence in the shanty towns.
Pope Francis’ first big international trip will be to Rio in July when he is expected to lead millions of young people in celebration of World Youth Day.
Rio de Janeiro also will stage many of the key matches when Brazil hosts the World Cup next year, and it will be the host city for the Olympic Games in 2016.
By Ian Jarrett, TravelMole Asia
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