57 inmates killed in Brazil gang battle

At least 57 people have died in a prison riot in Brazil where rival gangs battled for five hours.

Gang members from one prison block invaded another part of Altamira jail in Pará state.

Sixteen of the dead were decapitated and the remainder suffocated after part of the prison was set on fire by Comando Classe gang.

Two prison officers who were taken hostage have since been freed.

Officials said the violence began on Monday morning and ended at around noon.

The structure of the cell allowed the fire to spread quickly, resulting in the death of some inmates.