5 killed in Brazilian prison riot

Five prisoners have been killed during a riot by inmates at a jail in northeastern Brazilian.

The rebellion began early on Monday when some four-hundred prisoners overpowered prison guards and took control of the jail, outside Maceio in the state of Alagoas.

Officials said the victims were dismembered and thrown at riot police as they stormed the jail to put down the rebellion.

Last month, nineteen prisoners were killed in uprisings at nearly thirty jails in the state of Sao Paulo staged by members of a criminal gang.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service