Rio Gunmen Target UK Tourist Bus

A group of British tourists had just arrived in Brazil´s Rio de Janeiro when gunmen stormed onto a bus of elderly British tourists who has just arrived in Rio de Janeiro and robbed them of valuables, the Foreign Office says.

Their bus was on its way from the city´s airport to the tourists´ hotel when it was held up by three men. The driver was forced at gunpoint to drive to woods where jewelry, passports and credit cards were taken.

It is thought the tourists had been on a luxury trip organized by a UK firm around Argentina and Brazil. The holiday was reportedly organized by Sussex-based Horse Racing Abroad.

Of the 33 passengers on board, 31 were British, one Irish and one Portuguese.

The robbery happened on Thursday night but details have only just emerged.

The gunmen escaped. Consulate staff helped the tourists apply for new passports and cancel their credit cards.

Roads linking Rio´s international airport to the south zone has become notorious in recent years for carjacking and shootings.