Cameraman hurt in Rio fare rise protest

Police and protesters violently clashed in Rio de Janeiro’s main railway station in a demonstration against a 10-cent hike in bus fare.

A cameraman for Band TV was hit in the head by either a stun grenade launched by police or a homemade explosive tossed by protesters. It was not immediately clear which.

Band said in a statement that cameraman Santiago Andrade was taken to a hospital by police and underwent surgery. He is in serious condition.

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It’s the latest protest to hit Brazil since last June, when nationwide demonstrations broke out after a sharp police crackdown on a group in Sao Paulo that was marching against an increase in public transport fares. That increase was reversed in the face of protesters’ pressure.

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes recently approved a 10-cent increase for bus fares starting today.

About 800 protesters had peacefully gathered yesterday in central Rio before they started marching to the city’s main train station, some holding aloft signs condemning the billions of pounds spent on hosting the World Cup, money they want used for better hospitals, schools and infrastructure. Police used batons and tear gas after clashes broke out.

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