🔗 Share this article The bodies just kept coming - eyewitness describes deadly Rio security action The eyewitness Multiple casualties were displayed in a public space in northern Rio in the wake of the most lethal operation Rio has ever seen A reporter who witnessed the results of a large-scale law enforcement action in Rio de Janeiro has described how community members came back with mutilated bodies of the deceased individuals. The casualties "kept coming: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45...", Bruno Itan stated. Among them were law enforcement personnel. One individual was found without a head - while others appeared "totally disfigured", he explained. Several bodies showed evidence of knife injuries. More than 120 people were killed during Tuesday's raid on a criminal gang - the bloodiest action Rio has experienced. In excess of 100 suspects were arrested as part of the operation The photographer reported that he initially learned concerning the action early on Tuesday by local people of the Alemão neighbourhood, who sent him messages telling him an armed confrontation was occurring. The reporter went to a local medical facility, where the bodies were being brought. The eyewitness reported that security forces prevented journalists from going into the operation zone, where the police action were taking place. "Law enforcement personnel created a barrier and announced: 'Journalists doesn't get past here'." However, the photographer, who was raised in the area, stated he managed to gain access past the security perimeter, where he continued until dawn. He reported that evening, community members commenced searching the mountainous area that separates Penha from the adjacent Alemão area for relatives who had been missing following the security action. Local people living in Penha arranged the located casualties in a public space - the documented evidence show the response of the people there. "The brutality of the situation shook me a lot: the grief of relatives, parents losing consciousness, pregnant wives, crying, angry family members," the reporter recounted. The eyewitness There was shock in Penha as community members retrieved more and more bodies from the nearby hillside The state leader of Rio state announced that the large-scale security action deploying about 2,500 security personnel was intended to stopping a criminal group called Comando Vermelho from growing their influence. Originally, the Rio state government stated that sixty individuals and four police officers" were fatally injured during the action. Authorities later reported that early calculations indicates that 117 alleged criminals lost their lives. The public legal service, that gives legal support to the poor, has calculated the overall count of fatalities to be 132. Per investigative findings, the gang is the only criminal group that in the past few years has been able to expand its territory in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is generally regarded as a major illegal faction in Brazil, in company with a rival criminal group, with a background dating back more than 50 years. Per correspondent an expert, who has long reported on illegal operations in Rio for years, the criminal organization "operates like a franchise" with neighborhood bosses forming part of the gang and serving as "operational allies". The organization engages primarily in drug trafficking, but also smuggles weapons, valuable minerals, energy resources, beverages cigarettes. Based on official reports, criminal affiliates are well armed and authorities stated that while the action was underway, they faced assaults using drone-delivered explosives. The state leader of Rio state, the government representative, labeled Red Command members as "narcoterrorists" and described the security forces fatally injured in the action as "heroes". However, the count of casualties during the raid has faced scrutiny from international human rights authorities stating they were "horrified". During a press briefing the following day, Governor Castro supported law enforcement. "We did not plan to cause fatalities. We intended to detain everyone safely," he stated. He further explained that the events had escalated due to the alleged criminals had retaliated: "It occurred of the counterattack they implemented and the disproportionate use of force by those criminals." The official also said that the casualties shown by residents in the area had been "tampered with". Through a message through digital channels, he claimed that certain victims had been removed of the camouflage clothing which he claimed they wore "to redirect responsibility toward law enforcement". Felipe Curi representing security forces also said that military attire, body armor, and firearms" had been removed from the victims and showed footage apparently demonstrating an individual stripping military attire {off a corpse