Rough Seas Test Rio’s New Year’s Eve as Copacabana Fills Under Tight Security

Overview

• The Brazilian Navy’s rough-sea alert for the Rio coast remains in effect through early Jan. 1, with waves forecast up to 2.5 meters.
• Rio’s fire department reported 175 sea rescues in Copacabana by late afternoon and continues to search for a missing adolescent near Posto 2, with waves hindering visibility.
• Roughly 3,500 military police, 16 screening points with metal detectors and facial-recognition cameras, and real-time monitoring via the CICC are in place for crowds expected to reach about 2.5 million.
• Traffic closures include a full vehicle ban in Copacabana from 9 p.m., metro boarding by pre-purchased Réveillon passes and post-midnight wristbands, and post-event bus departures centralized at the Enseada de Botafogo terminal.
• The 12-minute fireworks show is planned from 19 barges following military inspections, while authorities review boat permissions due to the sea conditions.