'10 dead' in Rio gang violence

At least ten people have been killed in gang violence in the Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro, according to reports.

Gang attacks have been reported on buses and military police positions, in a continuation of the violence that began on Wednesday evening.

According to the BBC, one attack saw six bus passengers burnt to death when the vehicle they were travelling in came under attack from an armed gang.

It is understood that the escalation in violence has been triggered by a police crackdown on the criminal activity of the city's gangs.

Rio has a population of around 6.5 million people and is well known for its natural beauty and beach areas.

The Foreign Office reports that most of the 156,000 British nationals that visit Brazil each year experience a trouble-free visit.

However, violence has been reported before, with "outbreaks of violence aimed primarily at police and officials in Sao Paulo", according to government advice.