Two killed in Brazil prison riot

Two people have been killed and several others wounded in a prison riot in southern Brazil, officials say.

Hundreds of inmates, some armed with guns and knives, demanded better conditions in the Laudemir Neves prison in the city of Foz do Iguacu.

The victims of Tuesday's riot were a policeman and one of the inmates.

A public security spokesman in the Parana state said the prison had 800 inmates despite the fact that it had been designed to hold no more than 350.

There have been several mass prison riots in recent years in Brazil, which is notorious for its overcrowded penitentiaries and organised crime gangs operating from jails.

In March, seven inmates were killed during a riot in the state of Sao Paulo.

In May, at least 170 died in a week of clashes in Sao Paulo, which began with prison riots and attacks against police.