🔗 Share this article The bodies just kept coming - eyewitness describes deadly Rio security action Bruno Itan Dozens of bodies were arranged in an open area in Penha after the deadliest police raid Rio has ever seen A reporter who observed the consequences of a massive law enforcement action in the metropolitan area has described how local people brought back badly injured victims of the deceased individuals. The casualties "kept piling up: the numbers kept rising", Bruno Itan stated. Among them were those of police officers. One of the bodies was discovered headless - others were "completely mutilated", he said. Numerous victims displayed what he described as stab wounds. In excess of 120 victims were killed during the security action against a criminal group - the bloodiest action Rio has experienced. In excess of 100 suspects were detained in connection with the security raid The photographer explained that he initially learned about the operation early on Tuesday by community members living in Alemão, who sent him messages alerting him an armed confrontation was occurring. The photographer made his way to a local medical facility, where the victims were being brought. The photographer stated that the police prevented journalists from going into the Penha neighborhood, where the police action was under way. "Law enforcement personnel formed a line and said: 'The press doesn't get past here'." Nevertheless, the eyewitness, who spent his childhood in the area, explained he managed to enter into the restricted zone, where he remained until dawn. He explained during the night, community members commenced searching the mountainous area that separates the community of Penha and the neighboring Alemão community for family members who had been missing since the police raid. Community members of the Penha neighbourhood proceeded to place the recovered bodies in an open area - the documented evidence show the reaction of the people there. "The brutality of what occurred affected me deeply: the pain of loved ones, mothers fainting, pregnant wives, crying, furious relatives," the eyewitness remembered. Bruno Itan There was shock in the neighborhood as community members retrieved increasing numbers of casualties from the nearby hillside The official of Rio state stated that the extensive law enforcement effort deploying about 2,500 security personnel was designed to preventing a criminal group referred to as the criminal faction from increasing their control. At first, the Rio state government stated that sixty individuals along with four officers" were fatally injured in the raid. They have since said that initial estimates shows that 117 "suspects" were fatally injured. The public legal service, that gives legal support to disadvantaged individuals, has calculated the overall count of people killed at 132. Based on expert analysis, the criminal organization represents the unique criminal entity that recently has succeeded to expand its territory throughout Rio state. It is generally regarded as a major illegal faction in the country, in company with First Capital Command, featuring a timeline dating back more than 50 years. Per correspondent a specialist, who has been covering illegal operations in Rio extensively, Red Command "functions as a network" with area gang leaders joining the organization and serving as "operational allies". The organization engages primarily in narcotics distribution, additionally trafficking weapons, valuable minerals, fuel, beverages and tobacco. Based on official reports, criminal affiliates are well armed and officials reported that throughout the operation, they came under attack via weaponized unmanned aircraft. The governor of Rio state, the political leader, labeled organization participants as criminal extremists and referred to the law enforcement personnel who died during the operation as brave public servants. However, the count of people killed in the operation has received condemnation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stating they were "horrified". At a news conference on Wednesday, the state leader defended the police force. "We did not plan to result in deaths. We aimed to arrest them all alive," he declared. He continued that the circumstances worsened due to the alleged criminals had retaliated: "It resulted of the counterattack they carried out and the overwhelming response by the illegal group." The official further reported that the victims shown by residents in the area had been "tampered with". Via a statement on social media, he said that particular individuals had been stripped of tactical gear which he claimed they wore "in order to shift blame to security forces". A law enforcement representative representing security forces also said that "camouflage clothing, vests, and arms" were taken away from the bodies and displayed evidence appearing to show an individual removing tactical gear {off a corpse