Brazil: Bus Hijacker shot dead, all hostages released 'unharmed'

An armed hijacker who had taken passengers of a bus hostage on the Rio-Nitero bridge in Brazil has been shot dead by police, media reported.

The hostage situation began at around 6:30 AM local time on Tuesday when the gunman seized the vehicle with 37 people onboard as it was crossing the Rio-Nitero bridge, Russia Times reported.

The hijacker reportedly freed several people during the siege as police began negotiations with him.

Russia Times quoted military police as saying that a sniper neutralised the suspect and all hostages were released unharmed.