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Media bus shot at in Rio

Olympic authorities say they are aware of an incident in which a media bus was shot at in Rio.

Damage to a media bus in the Deodoro area of Rio de Janeiro
Shots have been fired at a media bus travelling between venues at the Rio Olympics. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Shots have been fired at a media bus travelling between venues at the Rio Olympics.

The bus had two windows smashed as it made its way from the Deodoro zone to the main Olympic Park on Tuesday night, witnesses said.

There were no serious injuries although at least two people, named by others on board as a reporter from Belarus and a volunteer from Turkey, suffered minor lacerations from flying glass.

A media representative on board the bus said he was in shock and now just wanted to go home.

"I guess we're all lucky to be alive," he told reporters.

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A Press Association photographer, travelling on the bus said he heard a popping, cracking noise.

"The bus didn't come to a stop but paused. Everyone was on the floor so I got on the floor as well," he said.

"People started shouting 'just keep going'. After a couple of minutes we had a police escort."

A retired US air force captain working for a basketball publication in Rio said she heard the shots.

"We were shot at. I mean we could hear the report of the gun," Sherryl "Lee" Michaelson said.

Brazilian police were not immediately available for comment while Games organisers said they were aware of an incident and were speaking with authorities.

Violent street crime in Rio has left its mark on South America's first Olympic Games.

On Saturday, a bullet hit the equestrian centre, missing journalists there by just metres.

That bullet was suspected to have been fired by a gang member trying to shoot down a police blimp or drone, officials said.


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