A photographer who witnessed the aftermath of a massive Brazilian police operation in Rio de Janeiro has detailed the horrific scene in which residents returned with mutilated bodies. Bruno Itan reported that the bodies 'kept coming: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45...' including those of police officers, with some victims decapitated and others displaying stab wounds.
Over 120 fatalities were reported during the raid on a criminal gang, making it the deadliest police operation in the city's history. Itan expressed deep emotional trauma from witnessing the despair among families who came to retrieve their loved ones, highlighting the sorrows of grief as mothers fainted or cried out for justice.
Bruno Itan placed emphasis on the alarming police presence which prevented many press members from accessing the affected area. By chance, having grown up in the neighborhood, he was able to gain entry and document the chaos. Residents desperately searched for missing family members, adding to the community's turmoil.
Initially, the government claimed a significantly lower death toll, but subsequent reports have suggested much higher numbers, further intensifying the scrutiny of police methods during the raid. Critics, including human rights officials, have condemned the excessive violence and called for investigations into the operation.
The Rio state governor defended the police actions but urged for responsible policing moving forward, as international bodies condemned the operation's brutality. The tragedy raises questions regarding the balance between law enforcement and human rights in Brazil, particularly amidst escalating gang violence.
