Indian athletes are safe, says Ministry as blast and shooting incidents cause panic in Rio

08/07/2016

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has confirmed that all the Indian athletes are safe after a blast and a series of shooting incidents caused panic in Rio. She also informed that they are in constant touch with the Indian Ambassador Sunil Lal, who is currently camping in Rio.

Rio Blast - Indian Ambassador Sunil Lal is camping in Rio and in constant touch with me. All are safe. @sandeepsonu000
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2016

According to reports, the Brazilian Police carried out a controlled explosion of an unattended bag near the Copacabana finish line of the Rio Olympics men's road cycling race on Saturday, which scared the crowd.

Police have carried out a controlled explosion of a bag near the #Rio2016 cycling course https://t.co/tOJnfXQlob
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 6, 2016

There were also two separate shooting incidents in Rio. The first took place near the temporary venue housing media tents, and it left visible holes on the wall. In the second incident, a woman was shot and killed by armed assailants near the Olympic Boulevard.

Two Australian Olympic rowing coaches were also robbed at knifepoint on Friday night, while they were walking between hotels in Ipanema, a spokesperson for Australia's Olympic Committee had confirmed on Saturday.

A lot of security concerns were raised at the start of the Olympics, and day 1 at the Games has started on the wrong note in that aspect.