Brazilian protesters claim they have extinguished the Olympic torch as it makes its way to Rio de Janeiro.

The trouble occurred two hours east of Rio when teachers descended on the relay to protest not being paid for almost two months amid the state government's financial crisis.

Protesters say a runner was ushered away with what appeared to be an extinguished torch - but these claims have not been verified by the Olympic Committee.

"The relay of the Olympic torch encountered protests in the first leg of its journey in the city of Angra dos Reis and had to be stopped temporarily. Some torchbearers decided to no longer participate and Rio 2016 respects their decision," said a Rio 2016 source in a statement.

"In consideration of the residents who wanted to watch the relay and the other torchbearers, the committee decided to restart the relay on the second leg of the route, after an evaluation by the security team."

When pushed on the status of the flame the source told journalist Matt Sandy: "There are a number of lanterns carrying the flame from the same source in Olympia so it is never extinguished. The video just shows the bus used to transport the torchbearers to the next stop."

Newshub.