Brazil prison riot leaves 15 dead, with victims 'stabbed with sharpened toothbrushes in front of visitors'

Anisio Jobim Prison Complex also saw a spate of violence in 2017, which left 56 inmates dead

(ITN)

A riot at a prison in the Amazonas region of Brazil has left 15 inmates dead, according to authorities.

Prisoners are thought to have sparked hours of violence at Anisio Jobim Prison Complex on Sunday.

Inmates began fighting among themselves around noon, during visiting hours, leading to a security response at the penitentiary.

Those that were killed were either choked to death or stabbed with a toothbrushes in front of visitors, prison officials said.

The incident is not the first time violence has broken out at the prison complex. In 2017, a series of fights between inmates at the prison resulted in the deaths of 56 people.

The state prison secretary, Colonel Marcus Vinicius Oliveira de Ameida, said the situation was now “under control” in a statement.

As an added security precaution, police helicopters maintained a presence in the area.

There is no information about any escapees at this time.

The government plans investigate the cause of the riot, the statement said.