US vice-consul shot in Brazil robbery attempt: police

A US vice-consul in Brazil was shot in the foot during an attempted robbery at a seaside holiday resort near Rio de Janeiro, police said today.

The vice-consul, who was not identified, "was hit in the foot by a shot from a firearm" while in Angra dos Reis, Rio state police said in a statement.

The victim was taken to Samaritano Hospital in Rio de Janeiro "to undergo an operation."

The US embassy said it would issue a statement later on the incident. The hospital would not comment.

A British tourist was shot and wounded in Angra dos Reis in August when she, her husband and their three children accidentally drove into a favela controlled by criminals.
 

The Rio area is one of the world's most famous tourist destinations but many favelas -- largely unregulated communities of working class Brazilians -- are effectively no-go areas for outsiders and even for police.