Brazil: at least 64 reported killed in Rio’s worst day of violence amid police favela raids

Governor says city at war' after gunfights between troops and Red Command drug traffickers who reportedly used weaponised drones

At least 64 people have reportedly been killed in Rio's worst-ever day of violence as more than 2,500 officers and special forces stormed an area of favelas near Rio's international airport that is considered the headquarters of one of Brazil's most powerful organised crime groups.

The predawn police raid - the deadliest in Rio's history - sparked intense gunfights in and around Alemao and Penha favelas, which are home to an estimated 300,000 people.