Brazil: hostage taking in a bus in Rio, the author shot

An armed man on Tuesday morning took hostages of a bus in Rio de Janeiro, AFP learned from an official source. He was shot dead, about four hours after the start of the hostage crisis on the big bridge connecting Rio de Janeiro to the nearby town of Niteroi, a spokesman said.

31 people taken hostage

"It was necessary to shoot (the man) to neutralize this marginal and save people on the bus," said Globo TV columnist Mauro Fliess, adding that "he died on the bus". The spokesman said that 31 people were held hostage on the bus at the time of the denouement.

Police were negotiating with the unknown when shots were fired, Globo television reported, causing applause from the crowd of curious people gathered near the stage.

Unknown motivations

The hostage-taking began around 5.30 am local time (12.30 pm in France), and six passengers were subsequently released, to be picked up by ambulances dispatched to the scene. Many police officers were present, including snipers. The abductor, according to the police spokesman, was carrying a dummy weapon. The young man, dressed in a white t-shirt and dark trousers, briefly passed his head through a window.

Estou acompanhando desde cedo, com atenção, o sequestro do ônibus na ponte Rio Niterói. Estou em contato direto com o comando da Polícia Militar, that trabalha para encerrar or caso da melhor maneira possível. A prioridade absoluta é a proteção dos reféns.

The motives of the assailant were unknown.