Source: Africa Publicity
The death toll in the Brazilian police raid on alleged gangs and drug cartels in Rio de Janeiro has reportedly risen to 132.
Brazil’s public defenders office reportedly made the new death toll public on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
The 132 death toll is reportedly more than double the number initially cited after the police raid in the favelas (poor neighborhoods) of Alemao and Penha in the north of Rio de Janeiro. The raid took place on Tuesday, October 29, 2025.
On Wednesday, grieving residents reportedly laid dozens of bodies in a square.
The United Nations Human Rights office said it “horrified” by the police operation, described as the deadliest in the city.
As many 2,500 heavily armed officers, backed by armoured vehicles, helicopters and drones reportedly took part in the operation.
Residents said the scenes in the neighborhoods were “war-like”, with reported shoot-outs between officers and armed men.
Buses were reportedly set on fire to create barricades.
Police reportedly claimed gang members also used drones to drop explosives on the officers as they fanned out through the neighborhoods said to be strongholds of the Red Command.
