Brazilian police "were on high alert" following Brazil's exit from the World Cup, according to Paul Collins of the London DAILY MAIL. While the "wide spread rioting that was feared did not happen, there were some reports of trouble in and around the stadium after the game and in other cities across Brazil." Authorities were "called to a densely-populated area of Sao Paulo after supporters reportedly set a bus alight, leaving it as little more than a burnt-out shell." Security was "beefed up around the stadium" as one fan, Samir Kelvin, clung to a streetlamp and cried, "I have nothing left! I am Brazilian and humiliated I want to kill myself" (DAILY MAIL, 7/9). The AP reported "several buses were set on fire and an electronics store was looted in Sao Paulo late Tuesday." Police did not "give a figure but Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper said on its website that some 20 buses were torched in a garage where unused vehicles were stored" (AP, 7/9).
SHOTS FIRED ON COPACABANA: In Sydney, Eryk Bagshaw reported a group of Australians were "caught up in mass panic near an area for World Cup fans on Copacabana beach" after Brazil's defeat. Gunshots "rang out in the area as Germany scored its fifth goal, sparking thousands of fans to run in terror down Brazil's most famous beach." Australian tourist Tyson Perkins said, "As the goal was scored, gunshots and screams were heard coming from our left." Foreign journalists "were also caught up in the panic." Arise News sports reporter Lance Santos tweeted, "Safe inside a British hostel now. The fear on peoples faces running for cover was scary. Children running too. Rio is in for a long night" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/9). The DPA reported the "business responsible for public transportation in Sao Paulo informed that traffic was not stopped despite the attacks," which included three buses and at least two cars that were burned. Six people, "including four adolescents, were arrested after police intervention." In Belo Horizonte, where the match took place, "disturbances began inside the stadium with the game still in play." At least four fans "were kicked out during the game for starting fights and lighting a trashcan on fire." One German "suffered an ear injury and lost partial hearing." Four people were arrested in the Savassi neighborhood of Belo Horizonte (DPA, 7/9).
