Drug gangs battle in Rio, more than 10 killed
More than 10 people were killed in a nearly four-hour-long gunbattle between two drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro early on Monday, Brazilian media said.
The shootout was the latest clash between rival gangs from the Vidigal and Rocinha neighborhoods, which are fighting for control of drug dealing points in Rio de Janeiro's Sao Conrado area.
Citing residents of Vidigal, local media said more than 10 people were killed in the shootout. Police confirmed the clash but declined to confirm the deaths.
Military police in two armored cars entering Vidigal were met with gunfire and grenades. They later combed through the impoverished neighborhood in search of gang members, police said.
Early on in the battle, the gang members shot out power transformers providing light to Vidigal, leaving the neighborhood in the dark.More than 20 people have been killed since April in gunbattles between the two gangs.
(From Reuters, November 22, 2004)
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