Police officers from the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bahia and Rio’s Polícia Civil were conducting an operation in the Vidigal favela when a gunfight erupted with members of the Comando Vermelho gang, according to TV Globo. The incident occurred near Morro Dois Irmãos, a popular tourist spot known for its panoramic views of Ipanema Beach.

Tourists Stranded on Hilltop

The trail leading to the top of Morro Dois Irmãos begins east of the Vidigal neighborhood. As the police and suspected gang members exchanged fire, the main access route to the trail was blocked, leaving around 200 tourists stranded at the summit.

Video footage shared on social media showed the group sitting on the ground as the sun rose, as a police helicopter was seen flying overhead, and distant gunfire could be heard. Portuguese tourist Matilda Oliveiro was waiting for the sunrise with her sister Rita when the guides told everyone to sit down.

‘We had waited for sunrise and. Suddenly, the guides asked us to sit down and we started hearing gunshots,’ Oliveiro told TV Globo. ‘They did their job — It’s always scary, but it was controlled as much as possible.’

Guides Informed of Operation

The stranded group was able to descend after about 30 minutes, according to local media; Rita Oliveiro said the guides had been informed about the operation beforehand. Other local guides told TV Globo they had coordinated with police units operating in Vidigal.

‘We were caught by surprise. We were already at the top when we started hearing gunshots, and the guides were already telling us what was happening,’ Danielly Nobre, 25, told daily newspaper O Dia. Nobre said the guides reassured her party that everything was under control; a passing police helicopter also signalled for calm, she added.

‘In the end, everything worked out. Everyone went down in a single file, everyone helping, and we managed to finish the trail, see the sunrise, and experience that adrenaline rush,’ Nobre told the paper.

Gang Monopolizes Services

Comando Vermelho and similar groups enforce strict rules in the areas they control; these criminal enterprises have moved beyond the sale of drugs and now hold the monopoly for the provision of gas, cable television, internet, and transport.

The police operation aimed to arrest alleged members of the Comando Vermelho gang they believed to be hiding in Vidigal, while the main access route to the trail was blocked as the officers and suspected gang members exchanged fire, leaving the alarmed tourists stranded.

Portuguese tourist Matilda Oliveiro said the guides had passed the police on the way, and the situation was already under control; the group was eventually able to descend the hill after the operation concluded, with the help of police and local guides.

The incident highlights the risks faced by tourists in areas controlled by favela gangs, where police operations can lead to unexpected and dangerous situations. Despite the tension, the guides and police worked to ensure the safety of the stranded group, allowing them to continue their tour and witness the sunrise.