RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On one of the hottest days of the year, the official opening of Carnaval took place in Copacabana. On Saturday, January 11th, the Rio Heat Index hit 55° and on Sunday, January 12th, it was similar. Hot and humid, and different from the unseasonable cold and rainy weather that Rio de Janeiro has been experiencing over the last month or two.
The official opening of Carnival was organised by the Empresa de Turismo do Município de Rio de Janeiro (RioTur). The Bloco da Favorita had funk as its principal rhythm and began to play at the stage near Cardeal Arcoverde Metro at approximately 15h.
The beaches of Copacabana and Leme were busy and the party continued in full swing until around 19h when confusion broke out, bringing the party to an abrupt halt.
The turmoil ended in the police using tear gas and causing people to move out of the area. There was a massive movement from Copacabana towards Leme and additional panic when police moved towards the area of Leme.
Partygoers fled in large numbers and hid behind tents and police posts. Many had adverse reactions to the tear gas and tried to flee into adjacent streets and onto the beach.
Criminals took advantage of the confusion and many people were mugged or had things stolen from their bags and pockets amid the mayhem.
This confusion comes on the back of similar incidents last year when the Bloco de Ludmilla was interrupted and ended by a brawl on Primeiro de Março Street in Rio de Janeiro’s central district. On that occasion 220 were injured, of 1.2 million who had come to the bloco.
As of late Sunday night reports say that the mayhem began when partygoers or street-vendors began to throw things, including glass bottles, at Municipal Police who had arrived close to Copacabana Palace.
Whether this is true or not, as of now there is no confirmation. But Rio police being known for their honesty, we can only assume that this was indeed the case.
300,000 people appeared for the celebration. During the last two weeks there have been various legal confusions over the status of this bloco, with a back-and-forth between the municipal government and the military police before final authorization was given on January 10th.
Last year, due to complications with the municipal government, the Bloco da Favorita did not take place.
Rio’s Carnaval, known as the biggest party in the world, will be at its peak from February 21st to 26th, but begins now and will continue into March, giving a total of 50 days to the party.