Brazil steps up security in Rio in the wake of Nice attack

Security has been heightened in the Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games.

Hundreds of security officials arrived in the city on Friday and they are on high alert following the recent terror attack in Nice, France that left scores of people dead.

“Anyone going to watch the Olympic Games will have to pass through a barrier in which they have to identify themselves, and their details will be compared with a bank of details provided by the United States, France and what we have here,” said the Brazilian defence minister, Raul Jungmann.

According to reports, the arrivals in Rio had long been planned as part of a 85,000 person operation for the games.

Brazilian security agents have been engaged in international training exercises led by US and French anti-terrorism units, as the country prepares to host about 300,000 people during the games scheduled to begin on August 5.

Authorities in Brazil will also work hand in hand with a network of international intelligence services to screen visitors and spectators.

A command and control centre where the city will be monitored has also been set up in the country’s military headquarters in downtown Rio.

Reuters