16 Municipal Busses are Torched in Fortaleza, and Bus Company Suspends Operations

04/20/2017 - 10h42

16 busses were set ablaze in Fortaleza, in the State of Ceará, on Wednesday afternoon (19). This information comes from Sindiônibus (Trade Association for Passenger Transportation Companies in the State of Ceará). According to the entity, one driver suffered burns.

According to the Capital Police Commander, Coronel F. Souto, there were another six attempts to set fire to public transportation. The police are still looking for motives in the attacks, which took place in various different neighborhoods.

The suspicion is that rivalry between factions in State prisons motivated the actions of street vandals and criminals.

A note signed by the Guardiões do Estado (Guardians of the State) faction, threatening to blow up the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat for Public Security, was found on one of the busses.

"We will attack the public organs and bring the State to a halt. [We call upon] those government employees to not leave their homes, because they could suffer in this war", said the message. The letter also warned the authorities to "not mess with" the prison facilities, which have had prisoner transfers in recent days.

The bus companies recalled all vehicles that were circulating in the city. According to Sindiônibus, from 2014 until now (April 2017), 55 vehicles have been burned.

	Thiago Gadelha/Diario do Nordeste
	According to the Sindiônibus, one driver suffered burns in Fortaleza

Public and private universities suspended classes on Wednesday night. Some public transportation users turned to services offered by vans, which continued operating.

Others searched transportation applications, which suspended their daily promotional discounts. Stores and retail establishments on the streets in the center also closed early.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

Read the article in the original language