Chaos on Copacabana: Penarol Fans Ignite Rio

Penarol fans instigated chaos on the Rio de Janeiro waterfront, resulting in vandalism, arson, and arrests. The unrest started after a fan was arrested for theft, escalating into a brawl involving hundreds of Uruguayan and local supporters. Rio's security forces eventually restored order, detaining over 200 individuals.

On Wednesday, chaos erupted on Rio de Janeiro's waterfront as hundreds of fans from Uruguayan football club Penarol unleashed a wave of destruction. The violent disturbance, lasting over an hour, saw the setting ablaze of a bus and the vandalization of beach-side kiosks.

The conflict began when a Penarol supporter was apprehended for allegedly stealing a cellphone at a bakery in the city's west side. The situation rapidly deteriorated as the angry fans clashed with locals, overturning tables and damaging parked vehicles before torching motorbikes.

Authorities responded with armed riot police who dispersed the crowd and detained over 200 individuals. Rio's Governor Claudio Castro condemned the violence, announcing stringent measures to prevent further disruptions by the Uruguayan fans, notorious for past disturbances in the city.

(With inputs from agencies.)