RIO DE JANEIRO, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Rio de Janeiro have vowed to implement the city's largest ever security operation to ensure fans' safety at the World Cup.
More than 20,000 security personnel will be deployed during the June 12-July 13 tournament in Brazil's second-largest city, according to Rio's state government.
Military and civil police will comprise half of the total security force, with the remainder made up of municipal guards, highway police, national armed forces, federal police and emergency service officers.
"It will be without doubt the largest security operation in Rio de Janeiro," the government's major events security secretary Roberto Alzir was quoted saying by Globoesporte.
Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium will host six World Cup matches, including the final.
Four of the World Cup's 32 teams have chosen Rio or its surrounding area for their tournament headquarters.
England and the Netherlands will stay in the city's metropolitan area while Brazil and Italy will be based in Teresopolis and Mangaratiba respectively.
In addition to the security personnel, aviation authorities have issued a no-fly zone over the Maracana stadium one hour before and three hours after each match.
For the final, the ban will extend to three hours before kickoff and fours after the final whistle.
The no-fly zone prohibits all air traffic within a seven-kilometer radius of the stadium.
Earlier this year the Brazilian government announced it will invest 800 million US dollars in the largest ever security operation at a World Cup.
More than 170,000 police, military and secret service personnel will be on guard in Brazil's 12 World Cup host cities, according to Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo.
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