Riode Janeiro - At least seven inmates died and 30 others were injured Friday in Brazil during a mutiny in the Desembargador Floscolo da Nobrega prison in the northeastern city of Joao Pessoa. Police said the two-hour mutiny in the capital of the state of Paraiba started when inmates set mattresses on fire. The flames partially destroyed one of the wings of the prison, which holds about 900 inmates.
After the fire department brought the flames under control, police stormed the prison - known as "Penal do Roger" - and had to break through walls to rescue the victims. Five inmates had died on the premises, while two others died on the way to hospital.
Police said they thwarted an escape attempt during rescue efforts.
The causes of the mutiny were not immediately known. Some police sources cited by the news website G1 said it was meant as a protest for the cancellation of conjugal visits for inmates.
