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Dozens killed in gang violence at Brazilian jail | Dozens killed in gang violence at Brazilian jail |
(about 5 hours later) | |
More than 60 people have been killed in a jail riot sparked by a war between rival drug gangs in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus. | |
The head of security for Amazonas state, Sergio Fontes, said the death toll could rise as authorities got a clearer idea of the scale of the violence. | The head of security for Amazonas state, Sergio Fontes, said the death toll could rise as authorities got a clearer idea of the scale of the violence. |
He said the riot began late on Sunday and was brought under control by around 7am on Monday. Authorities were counting the prisoners to determine how many had escaped. | He said the riot began late on Sunday and was brought under control by around 7am on Monday. Authorities were counting the prisoners to determine how many had escaped. |
It was the latest in a series of clashes between prisoners aligned with the São Paulo-based First Capital Command (PCC), Brazil’s most powerful drug gang, and a local Manaus criminal group known as the North Family. | It was the latest in a series of clashes between prisoners aligned with the São Paulo-based First Capital Command (PCC), Brazil’s most powerful drug gang, and a local Manaus criminal group known as the North Family. |
The Manaus-based gang is widely believed to be attacking PCC prisoners at the behest of the Rio de Janeiro-based Red Command (CV), Brazil’s second largest drug gang. Security analysts have said a truce that held for years between the PCC and CV was broken last year. | The Manaus-based gang is widely believed to be attacking PCC prisoners at the behest of the Rio de Janeiro-based Red Command (CV), Brazil’s second largest drug gang. Security analysts have said a truce that held for years between the PCC and CV was broken last year. |
In the latest riot, a group of prisoners exchanged gunfire with police and held 12 guards hostage, Globo TV reported. | In the latest riot, a group of prisoners exchanged gunfire with police and held 12 guards hostage, Globo TV reported. |
Fontes said 74 prisoners were taken hostage during the riot, some of whom were killed and some released. | Fontes said 74 prisoners were taken hostage during the riot, some of whom were killed and some released. |
Em Tempo newspaper reported that several decapitated bodies were thrown over the prison wall. | Em Tempo newspaper reported that several decapitated bodies were thrown over the prison wall. |
A video posted on the newspaper’s website showed dozens of bloodied and mutilated bodies piled on top of each other on the prison floor as other prisoners milled about. | A video posted on the newspaper’s website showed dozens of bloodied and mutilated bodies piled on top of each other on the prison floor as other prisoners milled about. |
Brazil’s prison system is precariously overcrowded and conditions in many institutions are horrific. | Brazil’s prison system is precariously overcrowded and conditions in many institutions are horrific. |
Sunday’s riot was the deadliest in years. In 1992, 111 prisoners were killed at Carandiru prison in São Paulo state, nearly all of them by police as they retook the jail. | Sunday’s riot was the deadliest in years. In 1992, 111 prisoners were killed at Carandiru prison in São Paulo state, nearly all of them by police as they retook the jail. |