12 dead in Brazil bank robbery bid

RIO DE JANEIRO: At least 12 people have died following a shootout between a group of alleged bank robbers and the police in Brazil, officials said.

The shooting happened on Friday in Milagres, in state of Ceara, when a group of 30 armed people attempted to rob two banks using hostages, but were intercepted by the police, Xinhua reported. Lielson Landim, Mayor of Milagres, said before arriving in the city’s centre to commit the robbery, the assailants stole a truck to block a city’s main street.

Upon being discovered by police, a fierce gun fight broke out and lasted 20 minutes. At least three minors, being held as hostages along with parents, died. Several bank robbers managed to flee and police began an operation to capture them.