RIO DE JANEIRO — A 51-year-old Argentine tourist was critically injured after being shot in the head and chest while driving in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. Reports indicate that he accidentally entered a low-income area while navigating to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue using a GPS device.

The victim, Gastón Fernando Burlon, was rushed to Hospital Souza Aguiar, where he is currently in serious condition, according to information from Rio’s health authority. Burlon previously served as the tourism secretary in Bariloche, Argentina, and is also the president of the Argentine Chamber of Student Tourism.

Burlon was traveling with his wife and daughter when they drove into the Morro dos Prazeres favela, an area known for being controlled by the criminal gang known as the Red Command. Police confirmed that he was shot by armed individuals upon entering the location by mistake.

Authorities stated, “Initial reports from investigators suggest that the victim was caught off guard by gunfire from armed assailants after inadvertently driving into the area.” This incident recalls a tragic event in 2016 when Italian tourist Roberto Bardella was killed in a similar situation in the same neighborhood after he got lost while traveling with a friend on motorcycles across South America.

The Argentine government is reportedly keeping track of the situation and has dispatched a representative to support Burlon and his family during this time. Medical teams are working diligently to stabilize his condition prior to any potential surgical intervention.

Sources also mentioned that the information provided is being shared under anonymity due to the lack of permission to publicly discuss the ongoing incident.