He said: “They mistook the information they were given about where they could find a place to buy water.
“Because of the language difficulties, there was some confusion.
They ended up going to the Agua Santa neighbourhood where they were targeted by criminals.
“They were shot at after failing to understand the order they were given to leave the area.”
The victim underwent surgery after being rushed to Japuiba Hospital in Angra dos Reis.
Her condition this morning was described as “stable” and she is understood to be out of danger.

A member of the Brazilian media pointed out bullet holes in the door of the rental vehicle used by the family

Photo shows a bullet hole in the headrest of the car

Eloise Dixon, was hit twice in the abdomen and was being treated in hospital.
Local police chief Bruno Gilaberte said that the family were trying to buy water at the time.
He said: “This whole confusion seems to have happened partly because of the language barrier.
A group Gilaberte said, approached the car and apparently told the family to get out and then opened fire.
“They ended up driving towards the Água Santa community where they were challenged by criminals.
“Because they didn’t understand the order they received to leave the area, they just carried on and were shot at.”

Eloise Dixon [right] with husband, was shot after her family accidentally drove into a crime infested Brazilian favela

cluster of homes in a favela in Brazil 

The area is a popular getaway for Rio residents.
In the past, Angra dos Reis was one of the most important ports on the coast between the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Ships loaded with goods docked there from the other side of the world.
Slave ships also arrived there with hundreds of slaves to supply forced labour in the region’s coffee plantations.
British tourists are warned to be vigilant when they travel to Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil due to “high levels” of violent crime, including carjackings.
In its latest travel advice for the South American country, the Foreign Office said: “Violence and crime can occur anywhere and often involve firearms or other weapons.”
It warned of high levels of poverty in favelas and cautioned that they are “unpredictably dangerous areas”.
Tourists are advised not to resist attackers because they may be armed.

Before their ill-fated foray off the beaten paths, the family was vacationing in Angra Dos Reis bay [photo], near Rio, a popular coastal destination for tourists

Tourists have been robbed on the trail to Christ the Redeemer

Rio favela shooting victim Eloise Dixon [photos, Left and right], is reportedly in a stable condition after undergoing surgery

The British Foreign Office issued a statement warning their citizens wishing to travel to that country : “You’re still at risk even if you visit favelas with organised tours. Violence, particularly aimed at police and officials, can occur at anytime and overspill to areas close to the favelas. You should take extra care and be aware of local conditions at all times.
“Take extra care when using GPS navigation in Brazilian cities, particularly Rio de Janeiro, that the suggested route doesn’t take you into a favela. Check with your hotel or the local authorities if unsure.”
Nearly 200,000 British nationals visit Brazil every year, and most visits are trouble free. However, the spate of attacks appears to be escalating. Recently, a number of tourists in Rio de Janeiro have reported being robbed on the walking trail to the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Local Brazilian media broadcast on pictures showing entry points for the bullets in the door and a headrest of the vehicle the family was driving when they were confronted by the armed robbers. Local newspaper O Dia reports that the area the family drove into is controlled by The Third Comando Puro drug cartel.
It is believed that Eloise was in the passenger seat of the car while the couple’s three daughters sat in the back seats. She is understood to be in a stable condition after undergoing surgery following the shooting, which took place on Sunday afternoon. He said: “They mistook the information they were given about where they could find a place to buy water.
“Because of the language difficulties, there was some confusion.
They ended up going to the Agua Santa neighbourhood where they were targeted by criminals.
“They were shot at after failing to understand the order they were given to leave the area.”
The victim underwent surgery after being rushed to Japuiba Hospital in Angra dos Reis.
Her condition this morning was described as “stable” and she is understood to be out of danger.