In north Brazil, 21 dead in jail break attempt

Public security authorities in Pará state, in the extreme north of Brazil, confirmed “a mass prison break attempt” Tuesday afternoon (Apr. 10) at one of the units of the Santa Izabel Prison Complex, outside state capital Belém.

The incident led to the deaths of 21 people. A group of heavily armed gunmen stormed into the prison complex and used explosives to facilitate the breakout through a wall, police reported. Inside, some prisoners are also believed to have been in possession of guns. Heavy crossfire erupted between the external armed group, inmates, and prison guards.

So far, one penitentiary agent and 20 other people have been reported killed. None of them had their identity disclosed. Another four agents were injured, one of them severely.

The Military Police have mobilized tactic forces to tighten up security at the complex. The authorities have not confirmed whether any inmates managed to escape.

Investigators announced the opening of probes to ascertain what groups were involved and how guns were trafficked into the unit.

A number of guns were seized from the outside attackers, including three rifles, three pistols, and two wheel guns.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira