A maximum-security prison riot in Acre, Northern Brazil, ended in tragedy with five fatalities. The unrest lasted for around 24 hours and concluded on Thursday night.
During the tumult, one prison officer was held hostage.
The inmates released the hostage shortly before relinquishing their weapons and agreeing to let security forces enter the António Amaro Alves State Prison in Rio Branco, according to official sources quoted by Agencia Brasilia.
It’s suggested that the riot was an attempted escape, as inmates had access to some weapons.
Colonel Paulo Cézar Gomes da Silva stated this theory to Agencia Brasilia.
According to the Acre government, the riot was initiated by 26 prisoners on Wednesday while prison officers were inspecting one of the prison wings.
The riot eventually spread throughout almost the entire maximum-security prison.
Authorities have since visited the scene for body identification.