Photos: Brazilian activists dig graves to protest government's handling of COVID-19

Rio De Janeiro: Brazilians critical of their government's ambiguous response to a surging coronavirus pandemic dug 100 graves and stuck black crosses in the sand of Rio's Copacabana beach in a tribute to the nearly 43,000 people who have died so far.

The graves were dug overnight on the beach opposite the ritzy Copacabana Hotel in a protest mounted by non-governmental organisation Rio de Paz.

Brazil has become a major epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, with 42,791 deaths and over 850,000 confirmed cases as of Sunday, the world's worst outbreak after the United States.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed the gravity of the pandemic and pushed local governments to lift quarantine measures, sending contradictory signals to Brazilians on whether to use masks and practise social distancing.

Activists dig mock graves at Copacabana beach. "The president has not realised that this is one of the most dramatic crises in Brazil's history," said organiser Antonio Carlos Costa, who criticised Bolsonaro for not showing solidarity with the suffering. "Families are mourning thousands of dead, and there is unemployment and hunger," he said.

Not everyone agreed with the protest. An angry man pulled out crosses, shouting against the symbolic tribute. Another man, who said his 25-year-old son died of COVID-19, went around replacing the fallen crosses.

An activist places a cross in a symbolic grave. "It's such a tragedy," said passer-by Marcia Lucia Dias. "It's frightening to see the crosses. But this is really happening. Our authorities contradict themselves and we don't know what to do."

Dressed like gravediggers an activist performs like she is digging graves during an act organised by the NGO Rio de Paz on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Aerial view of activists digging mock graves.

An activist reacts as he attends a demonstration.

Activists from the Brazilian NGO Rio de Paz (Peace Rio), stand next to the mock graves.

An activist checks a cross placed at a mock grave on Copacabana beach.

Activists dig mock graves at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.

An activist prepares a mock grave at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Activists of the NGO Rio de Paz in protective gear dig graves on Copacabana beach.