Relatives gather to identify victims

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP): DOZENS OF relatives of inmates killed during a prison riot in northern Brazil have gathered at a coroner’s office to identify the 57 victims.

Workers at the forensic institute in Altamira asked local authorities to bring in water, food and medical assistance for the anguished crowd of family members on Tuesday.

Authorities say clashes erupted Monday when the local Comando Classe A gang attacked a wing of the prison where members of a rival, Rio de Janeiro-based gang were held.

At least 16 of those who died were decapitated.

It’s the latest in a long series of deadly riots at overcrowded Brazilian prisons.

AP People seek information about family members who are prisoners after a riot inside the Regional Recovery Center in Altamira, Brazil, on Monday. At least 57 prisoners were killed by other inmates during clashes between organised crime groups in the Altamira prison in northern Brazil on Monday, with 16 of the victims being decapitated, according to prison officials.