Eight dead, 70 hostages released in Brazil prison riot

OHMYGOSSIP — A riot in an overcrowded Brazilian prison that left eight inmates dead, including one decapitated, ended on Monday with the release of at least 70 hostages.

The riot happened in the Cell Block 10 of the Regional Penitentiary of Feira de Santana, a city about 70 miles from Salvador. Five inmates were injured, including one in critical condition.

The hostages, including elderly people, women and children, were family members who were visiting inmates. The prison houses nearly 1,500 inmates but is designed to only house 644.

Prison director Cleriston Leite told reporters the riot was started by a feud between rival gangs following the deaths of two leaders.

A commission of councilors and representatives of human-rights organizations struck an agreement with the rioting inmates, which allowed for the gradual release of hostages. Police entered and searched the prison and escorted inmates back to their cells.

In August, a riot in a Brazilian prison in the southern city of Cascavel left four inmates dead, two of which were decapitated and two who were thrown off a roof.

Brazil has the world’s fourth largest prison population, with more than 500,000 inmates in prisons meant to hold 300,000.

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