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Massive Prison Riots Take Place in Brazilian State
Prisoners in 19 jails in the Brazilian southeastern state of Sao Paulo went on riots Sunday, taking hundreds of people -- some reports put the number as high as 7,000 -- as hostage.
Local television footage showed riot police rushed into Carandiru, a huge prison complex in the city of Sao Paulo when more than 8,000 prisoners took more than 250 people hostage.
Rioting started Sunday when prisoners seized visitors to Carandiru and similar revolts took place simultaneously across the state, a security officer was quoted as saying.
By nightfall, police have gained control over 16 of the 19 prisons, officials said.
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