British mother shot in front of her family after entering Brazilian slum

A British mother was shot in frontofherhusbandandthree children after they drove into a Brazilian slum by accident.

Local media named the injured victim as Eloise Dixon, and said she had been with her partner and their three children at the time.

The family were travelling in Angra dos Reis, a popular coastal holiday destination about 90 miles from Rio de Janeiro, police said.

A language mix-up saw them directed to the Agua Santa neighbourhood, which translates to Holy Water, local press 0 Eloise Dixon was shot and wounded in the abdomen said. Authorities added that a group approached the car at a favela and apparently told the family to get out and then opened fire.

A police statement said the woman was hit in the abdo- men and was being treated in hospital.

Police chief Bruno Gilaberte 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.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are in touch with the local authorities in Angra dos Reis, Brazil.”