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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Charlie Atkin

Brazilian inmates take hostages in prison riot

Rioting prisoners in a Brazilian jail have taken at least 10 people hostage.

Inmates armed with knives and sticks took the hostages, who are said to be other inmates, up to the roof of Londrina State Penitentiary Unit II before threatening to throw them off it.   

During the riot, windows were broken and fires started as police and family gathered outside the prison in the southern state of Parana.

Such riots are not uncommon in Brazil with severely overcrowded prisons that offer inmates poor living conditions.

The Londrina State Penitentiary Unit II is designed to hold 928 people but is allegedly housing 1,140 inmates.

There have been no reports so far of people being thrown off the roof, however two inmates have been taken to hospital after reportedly jumping from the roof to avoid being taken hostage. 

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