AN Israeli tourist attending a Madonna concert in Rio has died near the famous Christ the Redeemer statue.
Alma Bohadana, 22, allegedly jumped over a wall trying to escape robbers at the world-famous sightseeing spot.
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She had just left a trail not far from the iconic giant statue of Jesus Christ with another Israeli tourist when she was targeted by the criminals.
Friend Dan Hen told cops that the men on a red motorbike asked Alma for her belongings and she had tried to step away, frightened.
But the 22-year-old ended up plunging about 15 metres (50 feet) into a forested area.
Alma had been backpacking across Brazil for the last three months and had spent most of her time in Bahia, in the northeast of the country.
She then headed to Rio 10 days ago for Madonna’s packed beach concert.
The incident took place on Rua Almirante Alexandrino, in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, on Monday evening.
Locals in Bahia said she had a nice smile, spoke English, and was committed to learning about the local culture.
Dan said that he and Alma had been standing very close to the child protective barrier and that one of the men then advanced towards the Israeli woman, causing her to try to move away.
But she lost her balance on the wall and fell 15 metres into a forested area, with the men on the bike fleeing the scene.
Bohadana’s death is being investigated by the Capital Homicide Police Station, which is looking into whether a motorcycle was in the area when she and the other tourist took off running.
Dan said that he rushed down some steps to look for her but it was hard to find her because it was dark and there were lots of trees.
He said that when he managed to reach her she was still alive and crying in pain but she had suffered several fractures and she died before firefighters could arrive on the scene.
Two other witnesses who saw the young man go down the steps to help Alma also gave a statement at the Homicide Police Station, who are investigating Alma’s death.
An Israeli friend who travelled with Dan and who was staying at the same hostel told the police that they had arrived in Rio for the Madonna concert and had decided to stay a few more days there.
The Rio police said in a statement: “Further steps are underway to clarify the facts and circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.”
A female staff member at the Salvador hostel where she stayed said that Alma was “always smiling, radiant, talkative, and very intelligent”.
She said the young woman had a drawing on a wall in the hostel and added: “She had learned to samba and shared a lot of her Israeli culture with me.
“Everyone in the hostel loved her and it was impossible to be different. She will stay here forever, with us, in the mandala that she painted with so much love in every detail.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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