Inmates from rival gangs got into a battle at a prison in Goias state Monday, leaving nine dead and 14 injured, authorities have told the Brazilian news website G1.
Officials said that violence at the Colonia Agroindustrial prison in Aparecida de Goiania Complex apparently erupted when inmates from one cell block invaded three others where prisoners from rival gangs are housed. The attackers had set mattresses on fire when they entered the neighboring corridors and burned the bodies of those who were killed, the authorities said. Firefighters were able to contain the fire.
Authorities have confirmed the number of deceased, but said that the identifications had not yet been made, as reported by G1.
Local media said that about 106 inmates escaped during the riot, and officials had recaptured 29. The reports said that another 127 inmates fled during the violence, but returned voluntarily shortly after.
Officers from the Special Penitentiary Operations Group regained control of the prison with the support of military police just about two hours after the riot started.
Exactly one year ago, a prison riot at the Anisio Jobim Penitentiary Complex in Amazonas state caused about 56 deaths. A day later, four prisoners were killed at the Puraqueuqara Prison Unit in the same state. Thirty-three more inmates died on 6 January 2017 in a riot at a prison in Roraima state, and 26 were killed on 14 January 2017 when inmates rebelled at Alcacuz prison in Rio Grande do Norte.
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