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More than a dozen hurt after car drives into crowds at Copacabana

There was no indication of a link to terrorism, police said.

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Police officers stand next to the a car that has driven into the crowded seaside promenade along Copacabana beach (Silia Izquierdo/AP)

A motorist said he lost control of his car as it drove onto the crowded seaside promenade along Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro injuring 15, police said.

Brazilian military police said in a statement there was no indication that the incident was a terrorist attack.

Several European and American cities have seen terrorist attacks in which drivers ploughed into crowds.

Firefighter gives the first aid to a man that was hurt in the incident (Silvia Izquierdo/AP)
Firefighter gives the first aid to a man that was hurt in the incident (Silvia Izquierdo/AP)

He also said that he suffered from epilepsy, according to the police statement.

The promenade along Copacabana beach was crowded with people on the hot summer night when the car jumped over the kerb.

A witness reported seeing at least one child among the injured, many of whom were knocked down and were treated initially where they lay on the ground.

The car stopped in the sand after it apparently crossed the wide pavement that runs between the beach and a busy road.

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