Military bullet accidentally shot through press tent at Rio Olympics
Military personnel on the ground in Rio de Janeiro are claiming a bullet that shot through the equestrian press tent on Saturday was an accident.
Horse & Hound's Alice Collins reports the bullet — a 5.56mm assault rifle round — pierced the roof of the tent occupied by journalists and fell to the floor.
News Hub reporter Melissa Davies tweeted images from the scene.
Small tear in the roof where suspected bullet came through ..NZ team staff were inside at the time @NewshubNZ pic.twitter.com/ErSm9fJKhr
— Melissa Davies (@MsMelDavies) August 6, 2016
According to Horse & Hound website, this is 5.56mm military bullet which pierced large tent of Rio Equestrian centre pic.twitter.com/0fwz3FyroG
— Rob Maul (@Rob_Maul) August 6, 2016
No one was hurt.
The bullet landed closest to British photographer Jon Stroud, and images were taken. It didn't pierce the carpeted floor of the tent.
EQUESTRIAN VENUE UPDATE: assessment from NZ police is a bullet was fired unintentionally at the media centre @NewshubNZ
— Melissa Davies (@MsMelDavies) August 6, 2016
According to Collins, the bullet is being credited as a "negligent discharge" from a nearby military base. A hole remains in the ceiling.
Dan is on Twitter. Good times in Rio agaaaain.
