Death toll rises in Rio drug turf war

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Police in Rio de Janeiro said seven more people died in the days-old battle for control of drug trafficking in several of the Brazilian city's shantytowns.

Adding in the casualties Wednesday, 33 people have died since the gang turf war erupted Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

Police said 17 people were arrested Wednesday.

While most of the dead were suspected gang members, some of the victims were innocent bystanders, officials said. On Wednesday, an 18-year-old student was wounded in the abdomen by a stray bullet fired during a confrontation between police and criminals at the Vila Cruzeiro favela, or slum.

Hundreds of Rio de Janeiro state police were deployed to try to control the violence that has swept over parts of the city recently named to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, the Times said. Rio state Gov. Sergio Cabral also asked for additional forces from the federal government.

Fighting began Saturday when the Red Commandos gang invaded Morro dos Macacos favela, controlled by the rival Friends of Friends gang.