RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Two children were shot dead in separate incidents here Tuesday, local TV station GloboNews reported.

On Tuesday morning, a three-year-old girl was shot dead after her family's car was hit by several shots.

Separately, a 13-year-old boy was hit by a stray bullet as he played soccer with friends.

Police were reportedly forced to close three major highways in the wake of the outbreak of gun violence.

For the past few years, Rio has been immersed in constant violence, with drug gangs gaining ground and fighting for territory as residents can only try to protect themselves and navigate the conflict.

There are hundreds of slums in the state, with drug gangs and militia groups fighting to expand their drug business.