Most of those killed were suspected criminals, when it was reported that 60 people had been killed in the extensive raid against drug trafficking in two vulnerable areas of Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
The death toll is likely to continue to rise after the major operation, not least as different authorities are responsible for different hospitals and morgues where the dead are being taken. In addition, several victims have been taken to a forest area, local media report.
Lula horrified
As unidentified bodies are taken to morgues, relatives' desperation is growing. Many bodies have been taken to a square, where relatives are lifting the shrouds covering the bodies, trying to find a missing person.
According to police and prosecutors, the vast majority of victims were drug dealers, but residents of the attacked neighborhoods are expressing strong anger towards the authorities.
"Many have been executed, several were shot in the back of the head, in the back. It cannot be considered protecting the public," resident Raul Santiago told AFP.
President Lula da Silva has, according to Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, expressed "horror" over the increased death toll, according to AFP.
“A success”
However, the city's governor, Cláudio Castro, called the operation "a success" at a press conference on Wednesday morning, saying that "the only victims were police officers," the latter referring to the four police officers who were killed.
"I see it as the beginning of a new movement where we can free the people of Rio, and all of Brazil, from crime. We will not shy away from doing our part, we have dealt a heavy blow to crime," he said - according to the newspaper O Globo in a triumphant tone.
Up to 2,500 police officers participated in the police raid, which was carried out with several armored vehicles and helicopters.
The killing is condemned by the UN, which demands that the events be investigated.
