Brazilian woman's bra stopped potentially fatal bullet

A Brazilian woman who was hit by a stray bullet as she walked out of a supermarket believes her underwire bra may have saved her life.

Belém resident Ivete Medeiros was stepping out of the shop to investigate a commotion on the other side of the street, which turned out to be a robbery in progress.

The thief opened fire, and Ms Medeiros felt "a little burning sensation."

That burning sensation turned out to be hot lead; a stray bullet had hit Ms Medeiros close to the heart, but was stopped by her black lace bra.

When Ms Medeiros realised that the bullet hadn't so much as drawn blood, she thanked God for saving her.

Deaths from stray rounds are alarmingly common in Brazil, which is riddled with crime and poverty.