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Bruno Itan

An eyewitness who witnessed the aftermath of a large-scale law enforcement action in Rio de Janeiro has recounted how local people came back with disfigured remains of those who had died.

The victims "kept piling up: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45...", the photographer described. They included law enforcement personnel.

One individual was found without a head - while others appeared "severely damaged", he said. Many also had what he described as knife injuries.

Over 120 individuals were fatally injured during the security action against a criminal group - the deadliest such raid Rio has experienced.

The eyewitness explained that he initially learned about the operation early on Tuesday by residents from the Alemão area, who sent him messages telling him there was a shoot-out.

The eyewitness made his way to the Getúlio Vargas hospital, where the victims were arriving.

The eyewitness reported that law enforcement prevented journalists from going into the Penha neighborhood, where the operation was under way.

"Security forces established a perimeter and announced: 'Media representatives doesn't get past here'."

But Itan, who was raised in the area, reported he was able to gain access into the restricted zone, where he stayed through the night.

He described that evening, area inhabitants began to search the elevated terrain that separates Penha from the nearby Alemão neighbourhood for family members who were unaccounted for since the police raid.

Community members from the Penha area arranged the recovered bodies in an open area - the documented evidence reveal the response of those present.

"The harsh reality of the situation shook me a lot: the sorrow of the families, women collapsing, expectant spouses, weeping, outraged parents," the photographer recalled.

Bruno Itan

The governor of Rio state stated that the massive police operation involving around 2,500 officers was designed to stopping a gang known as Red Command from growing their influence.

Originally, the Rio state government stated that "60 suspects and four police officers" lost their lives during the action.

Officials subsequently stated that initial estimates suggests that 117 individuals have been killed.

The public legal service, which provides legal assistance to the poor, has put the total number of casualties to be 132.

According to researchers, the gang stands as the sole illegal faction which in recent years has succeeded to expand its territory across the region.

It is widely considered among the biggest criminal organizations in the country, alongside First Capital Command, with a background spanning over five decades.

Based on reporter Rafael Soares, who has long reported on crime in Rio over many years, the gang "works as a system" with area gang leaders joining the organization and acting as "commercial associates".

The gang concentrates largely on narcotics distribution, but also smuggles firearms, precious metals, energy resources, liquor smoking products.

Per law enforcement statements, gang members are well armed and authorities stated that while the action was underway, they faced assaults using drone-delivered explosives.

The state leader of the state, the government representative, described gang affiliates as "narcoterrorists" and referred to the four police officers who died during the operation as brave public servants.

Nevertheless, the total of fatalities in the operation has come in for criticism with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stating they were "horrified".

In a media appearance the next day, Governor Castro justified security actions.

"There was no objective to cause fatalities. We aimed to detain everyone safely," he declared.

He continued that the circumstances had escalated because the suspects had retaliated: "It occurred of the counterattack they implemented and the overwhelming response from the gang members."

The official additionally stated that the victims presented by community members in the area were "altered".

Through a message on online platforms, he asserted that some of them had been taken of tactical gear he said they had been wearing "to redirect responsibility to security forces".

Felipe Curi from the police department also said that tactical gear, vests, and weapons" were taken away from the casualties and displayed evidence apparently demonstrating an individual stripping military attire {off a corpse