Gunmen near a slum in Rio de Janeiro ambushed three Swedish tourists and held one captive on Wednesday. None of the tourists were hurt, but the incident heightened fears about crime in Olympics host city just before the summer games are set to kick off.
The tourists were headed to downtown Rio from a spot near the Olympic Park, the Washington Post reports, when they stopped to take photos near the Complexo do Lins slum. A gunman captured one of the tourists, and the other two managed to escape and ask the police for help. Police later found the third tourist.
Brazil has sent 88,000 soldiers to ensure safety during the Olympics, and Rio’s mayor recently told TIME he believes his city will be “the safest place in the world to come in August.”
But with the Olympics set to begin Friday, Rio is still struggling with security and environmental issues that could threaten the success of the games. Earlier this summer, Brazilian first responders protested at Rio’s airport and warned visitors they would not be safe.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Abigail Abrams at abigail.abrams@time.com