Tourist in Rio shot when Google Maps took her through notorious favela gangland on her way to Christ the Redeemer statue
Natalia Lorena Cappetti, 42, from Argentina, was on her way to Christ the Redeemer statue when her group took wrong turn
A TOURIST has been left fighting for her life after she was shot when her GPS took her through a notorious favela in Brazil.
Natalia Lorena Cappetti, 42, from Argentina was with her husband a Spanish couple when the shocking incident happened in Rio de Janeiro.
The group of tourists – who arrived in Rio last week to attend the Carnival – were trying to get to the city’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue when they made the fateful navigation error.
Following directions on Google Maps, the couples drove into one of Rio’s infamous crime-ridden slums, known as favelas, according to newspaper.
A police spokesman told Télam the shooting happened at one of the entrances to the Morro dos Prazeres favela at around 3pm yesterday.
He said a group of men approached the tourists' vehicle, firing several rounds into it before fleeing.
Witnesses told police the gunmen – believed to be drug dealers – ran away into the slum without stealing anything.
Cappetti was rushed to Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital with wounds to her legs and stomach.
Related stories
She underwent surgery to remove a bullet that entered through her back, according to local media.
Her condition is now said to be serious but stable.
Morro dos Prazeres is the same favela where an Italian man was fatally shot in December after following faulty GPS directions.
Roberto Bardella, 52, and his cousin were traveling across South America by motorcycle when they entered the gang-controlled ghetto.
The pair were returning from the same attraction as the two couples were on their way to visit yesterday.
The favelas in this area of the city are considered the most dangerous and are only a mile away from the Sambódromo, where more than 72,000 revellers are expected Tuesday night to attend the Carnival’s wrap-up.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368