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Shots have been heard after an armed man hijacked a bus and took 37 passengers hostage in Rio de Janeiro, according to reports.
The bus is blocking all lanes on the Rio–Niterói Bridge in the Brazilian city as a major police operation is launched.
Police have been trying to negotiate with the 'hijacker' as they surround the vehicle, local media reports.
Globo News, citing witnesses and police sources, reported that shots have been fired.
The masked man, believed to have petrol with him, was threatening to burn the bus from the inside, ABC.es reports.
Six hostages have since been released, officials have confirmed.
Authorities are trying to bring the incident to a peaceful conclusion, CNN reports.