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| Breakout Sparks Riot at Brazil Prison, 11 Die |
| By Reuters |
| Published: 10/01/2002 |
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At least 11 prisoners died, most of them asphyxiated in fires, during a riot that erupted after dozens of inmates escaped from a prison in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo. Two inmates were beaten to death by rival gangs and nine others died because of smoke from blazes set in cells in the prison that held 200 inmates, a local public security spokesman said. The riot started early on Saturday, after the escape of 59 prisoners. One group of inmates, who did not manage to break out, took a police official hostage and started rioting and fighting with another gang of inmates. The official was freed unharmed after police quelled the riot. Local television showed images of helicopters searching the area for the escapees. By Saturday evening 21 had been caught. Riots are common in Brazil's prisons where overcrowding, poor conditions and measly salaries for staff often foster organized crime and weapons smuggling. |
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