Rio violence

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Dozens of people have been killed in Rio de Janeiro in what is being described as a turf war by drug gangs.

The death toll of 33 since Saturday includes three police officers who died when high-caliber guns were used to shoot down a helicopter. The fighting takes place on multiple levels as gangs try to gain an upper hand against rival drug-trafficking groups and police try to control them all.

The violence comes in the wake of celebrations in Rio set off when the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2016 Summer Games to the South American city. Rio will also be the central site of the 2014 World Cup. The country needs an estimated $14 billion to get ready for the Olympics and the running gun battles in the city can't help international fundraising efforts.