Rio, January 2, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - A light rain did not scare away the 2.5 million people who commemorated the arrival of 2004 at Copacabana Beach. 156 tons of fireworks were detonated, a new record, 30% more than at last New Year's celebration, and the display lasted 24 minutes, double the 12 minutes previously announced.

The big surprise of the night was the image of Christ the Redeemer covered by lights. At the base were the inscriptions "Peace 2004" and "Pan 2007" (referring to the Pan-American Games scheduled to be held in Rio in 2007). The image of Christ appeared at 16 minutes past midnight, projected on raft nº 4, located in the vicinity of Republic of Peru Street.

The traditional firefall on the facade of the Meridien Hotel lasted approximately four minutes - one more than in 2003 - and was in color for the first time.

The country's biggest New Year's party was considered calm by City Hall. According to the municipal Civil Defense department, various individuals set off fireworks on the beach, despite the prohibition, but no accidents were registered. The fire department rescued 441 people from the water - 123 in Copacabana alone. At the seven health posts along the shoreline, 547 people were treated; 60% of the cases involved excessive consumption of intoxicating beverages. (DAS)