At least 64 people have died in a massive police raid aimed at organised crime in Rio de Janeiro, security officials said.

Among the dead are four Brazilian police officers, they said.

Rio de Janeiro State Governor Cláudio Castro said the operation was still ongoing and the death toll may rise. Authorities also claimed on social media that at least 42 rifles were seized during the operation.

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Rio de Janeiro's government called the raid on Tuesday the largest of its kind in the state's history.

Police raids are common in the city of 13 million residents before international events, and next week, Rio will host a major climate conference, the C40 World Mayors Summit.

Video published by Reuters showed huge columns of black

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