Rio de Janeiro: Violent Protests Over Fare Hike in Public Transportation


Violent protests over increase in public transportation fares in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A cameraman for Brazilian channel ‘Band’ was injured during the protest. According to the Municipal Health Service (Secretaria Municipal de Saúde), the cameraman remains in a critical condition in Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar.

Several people were injured when clashes erupted in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, as hundreds of people protesting against increases in public transportation fares battled with police. Police used pepper spray and tear gas, while demonstrators threw rocks and petrol bombs, started fires and overturned rubbish bins.

Protesters initially gathered in Candelaria Church, a common rallying site, before they marched to the Central do Brasil railway station.

The local government plans to increase bus fares to 3 Brazilian reais ($1.26; €0.92) from 2.75 reais ($1.14; €0.84) starting February 8. An attempt last year to raise bus fares triggered mass demonstrations across Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

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