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The photographer

A photographer who observed the results of a massive law enforcement action in the Brazilian city has described how community members brought back badly injured victims of the deceased individuals.

The victims "kept piling up: the numbers kept rising", the photographer reported. They included law enforcement personnel.

One individual was found without a head - while others appeared "severely damaged", he reported. Numerous victims displayed what appeared to be stab wounds.

In excess of 120 victims were fatally injured in the Tuesday operation against a criminal group - the most lethal operation Rio has experienced.

The eyewitness reported that residents first notified him to the raid in the early hours by community members living in Alemão, who reached out informing him gunfire had erupted.

The eyewitness traveled to a local medical facility, where the casualties were arriving.

The photographer stated that the police stopped members of the press from going into the operation zone, where the security measures were occurring.

"Law enforcement personnel established a perimeter and declared: 'Journalists cannot proceed beyond this point'."

Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who grew up in the area, stated he managed to enter past the security perimeter, where he remained through the night.

He explained during the night, local residents began to search the elevated terrain that borders Penha from the nearby Alemão neighbourhood for loved ones whose whereabouts were unknown following the security action.

Community members of the Penha neighbourhood organized the discovered victims in a square - and Itan's photos reveal the response of those present.

"The harsh reality of the situation shook me profoundly: the sorrow of relatives, parents losing consciousness, expectant spouses, crying, outraged parents," the photographer recalled.

The photographer

The state leader of the region declared that the extensive law enforcement effort involving around 2,500 security personnel was intended to stopping an illegal organization referred to as the criminal faction from increasing their control.

Initially, state authorities claimed that sixty alleged criminals along with four officers" had been killed during the action.

Officials subsequently stated that their "preliminary" count shows that 117 alleged criminals lost their lives.

The legal assistance organization, that gives legal support to low-income residents, has put the final tally of people killed as 132.

Per investigative findings, the criminal organization represents the unique criminal entity which in recent years has been able to make territorial gains across the region.

It is generally regarded one of the two largest gangs in Brazil, alongside a rival criminal group, featuring a timeline dating back more than 50 years.

Per Brazilian journalist Rafael Soares, who has long reported on illegal operations in Rio extensively, the gang "functions as a network" with neighborhood bosses forming part of the gang and serving as "commercial associates".

The gang concentrates largely on illegal drug trade, while also dealing in weapons, valuable minerals, fuel, alcohol smoking products.

According to the authorities, gang members are well armed and officials reported that while the action was underway, they came under attack from explosive-laden drones.

The official of the state, Cláudio Castro, described gang affiliates as "narcoterrorists" and referred to the security forces fatally injured in the action as "heroes".

However, the count of people killed during the raid has received condemnation from international human rights authorities stating they were "shocked".

During a press briefing the next day, Governor Castro justified security actions.

"There was no objective to kill anyone. We intended to detain everyone safely," he declared.

He continued that the situation worsened as the individuals had retaliated: "It occurred of the counterattack they implemented and the excessive violence by the illegal group."

The governor additionally stated that the bodies shown by residents in Penha had been "tampered with".

Via a statement through digital channels, he asserted that certain victims had been removed of military-style attire which he claimed they wore "to redirect responsibility onto the police".

A police official representing security forces additionally stated that "camouflage clothing, body armor, and firearms" were taken away from the bodies and displayed evidence apparently demonstrating a man removing tactical gear {off a corpse