Rio police release 17 hostages from gunman on a bus, 2 people wounded
Rio De Janeiro (AP/PTI): Brazilian police said Tuesday they released 17 hostages from a gunman that took over a crowded bus in Rio de Janeiro and wounded at least two people.
Rio police said in its social media channels that all hostages aboard a bus parked at one of the city's main terminals had been freed "after a successful work of negotiation" led by its elite squad.
The man's motive remains unclear, Police Col. Marco Andrade said in an interview on TV news channel Globo News. "We have children and older people inside the bus," Andrade said, adding that very little was known at this stage.
The bus was parked at the Sao Cristovao terminal in the city center and was scheduled to head to the neighboring state of Minas Gerais.
Police cars and ambulances could be seen waiting near the bus, while thousands of passengers were stranded waiting for information on scheduled travel.
People interviewed on TV said they heard several gunshots, causing panic inside the crowded terminal.
One wounded person was sent to a nearby hospital, police said. (
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Attacks on Christians contradict PM's message of harmony, visit to church: Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday expressed concern over the reported attacks and disruptions in prayer gatherings of the Christian community in different parts of the country, saying such incidents were "worrying and condemnable".
In a post on X, Gehlot said that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting a church and giving a message of peace and harmony, news of attacks on members of the Christian community from various regions reflected a serious contradiction.
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"Symbolic gestures would not be enough, and strict legal action was required against those spreading hatred," the senior Congress leader said.
He added that Indian culture has always upheld the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", where every citizen has full freedom to practise their faith.
Gehlot urged the Centre and state governments to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is forced to celebrate their festival under fear.
