RIO DE JANEIRO: News reports say that two men were shot dead at popular pre-Carnival street parties, one in Rio de Janeiro and another in Brasilia. G1, the Internet portal of the Globo television network, says the revellers were shot late Saturday after unknown assailants opened fire at the street parties known in Portuguese as “blocos.” Three people were injured at the popular “Heaven on Earth” bloco in Rio, which had largely wrapped up when the incident took place. One person was injured at party in Brasilia, which attracted some 6,000 revellers. Carnival officially kicks off on Friday, ushering in five days of alcohol-fueled revelry.