Officials in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil have closed a popular hiking trail that leads to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in wake of a string of robberies.
According to The Independent, the 2.5-mile trail from Parque Lage to Corcovado has been temporarily closed after a Polish tourist was stabbed earlier this month.
The man was one of 58 robbery victims in a span of just 10 days. More than 150 people have been robbed on the trail during 2017 alone, prompting some volunteers to put up posters along the path warning of potential danger.
Authorities believe the trail should remain closed until they can bolster police presence in the area.
"Patrolling in the region will never be efficient because human resources in the security forces are overwhelmingly under-resourced," Valeria Aragao, head of Rio's tourist police department, told The Rio Times. "I do not recommend that this trail be used. I suggest a temporary closure."
"I have a meeting with the park to deal with this officially. We have already pointed out the vulnerabilities."
A majority of the robberies are believed to be committed by local men who typically threaten hikers with knives.
"Unfortunately the Corcovado Hike has recently suffered from these incidents. It is a shame to see this happen to such a great Rio experience," Evan Farr, co-founder of adventure tourism company Jinga Experience, told the Times.
"The reality is, it is known that most people hiking the Corcovado trail will be carrying valuables because the summit is Christ the Redeemer, so the hikers become targets."
Dutch student Renate Trinks was among a group of hikers who were recently robbed along the trail. She told news.com.au that the perpetrators took cash, cameras and other valuables. However, Trinks said the men handed back passports and credit cards.
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Visitors to Rio can still hike to see Christ the Redeemer. Farr recommends taking more challenging trails located further into the Tijuca Forest, including the Pico da Tijuca and Bico de Papagaio.
The popular attraction can also be safely accessed via train or taxi.
Completed in 1931, Christ the Redeemer was named one of the new seven wonders of the world in July 2007. The 98-foot-tall statue draws more than 3 million visitors each year.
The Archdiocese of Rio recently launched a campaign seeking donations to restore the deteriorating structure.
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