A police helicopter has been shot down and 12 people killed during fighting between rival drug gangs in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. Two of the dead were police officers.

The gangs have been battling for control of a district in the north of the city. When the police helicopter flew over the area, known as the “Hill of Monkeys,” the pilot was hit in the leg by a bullet fired from the ground. Although he managed to make an emergency landing on a nearby football field, the helicopter then caught fire and exploded, killing two of the six police officers on board.

As the fighting continued, gang members set eight buses on fire in neighbouring districts. The bus company has estimated the damage at one million euros.

Photo of statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro by stelling (flickr)