Elderly British tourists targeted in Rio robbery

Gunmen in Rio de Janeiro have robbed a group of elderly British tourists, the Foreign Office said.

The tourists were travelling from the city's airport to their hotel, when three armed men held up their tour bus.

The bus driver was forced at gunpoint to drive to a wooded area, where the passengers were then robbed of their jewellery, passports and credit cards.

It is understood that the tourists were on a trip around Argentina and Brazil, organised by the Sussex-based firm Horse Racing Abroad.

The Foreign Office said that consulate staff had helped the tourists to organise new passports and cancel their stolen credit cards.

The roads connecting Rio's international airport to the south zone of the city have become increasingly dangerous in recent years, with carjackings and shootings taking place.

(KMcA/SP)