Brazil military police to handle Olympics security

Soldiers stand guard at Rio International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 28, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

Brazil's federal government has severed its contract with a security firm that was to operate x-ray machines during the Summer Olympic Games that begins in just a week's time.

Brazilian Minister of Justice, Alexandre de Moraes, says the Artel company didn't deliver the 3,400 workers needed to perform the task and will be replaced by retired policemen, who have yet to be trained.

Moraes said that Artel will be sued for not delivering.

The contract was worth approximately 6 million US dollars.

"We will replace the Artel company for the National Force. The National Force will be doing another thing which is not its original mission, security checks at the airport. We will replace the company workers with police and retired police."

The company did not comment on the decision.

Meanwhile the Justice Minister also laid out the security procedures that visitors to Rio can expect.

"From now on during the period of the Olympics all luggages on all international flights will be checked and every person will be searched twice, so that the Brazilians coming from other states, Rio de Janeiro residents and tourists arriving for the Games can rest assured and attend the Olympics in complete safety."

There are expected to be 85,000 military personnel and police across the city, double the number on the streets in London in 2012.

Most will be concentrated at sporting venues and tourist landmarks.