Brazil police says stray bullet was not targeting media

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.

There is speculation it could have been a stray bullet, fired accidentally from an adjacent military base. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Security was reportedly reinforced around the equestrian venue following the incident.

But One News have reported that Diana Dobson, a press attache with the Kiwi equestrian team, was sitting just 2m from where the bullet landed.

French photographer Pierre Costababie was working nearby at the time.

A small hole could be seen in the roof of the tent where the bullet came through.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee released a statement on Saturday afternoon, saying the bullet was likely fired unitentionally.

“It was a stray bullet and has nothing to do with the Games”, Mario Andrada said at a news conference, adding that security around the venue had been increased as a precaution.

A TVNZ report said the bullet narrowly missed a New Zealand team official who was badly shaken by the incident.

“We have advised all team members to remain within the accredited areas at the venue and travel bubble to bubble”.