16 Beheaded in Brazil's Second Most Brutal Prison Riot of 2019 (Video)

A fight between criminal groups broke out on Monday morning, AP reports, citing local authorities. Inmates also set part of the prison on fire, the agency says.

At least 52 prisoners have been killed by other inmates during a battle at the Altamira prison in northern Brazil, AP has reported. 

According to prison officials, 16 of the victims were decapitated in the five-hour-long clash while others were asphyxiated. 

The fact that inmates also set a part of the jail on fire meant that prison authorities were unable to enter parts of the facility, AP says.

A video has emerged online, showing a part of the prison engulfed in flames and smoke.  

📽 📽 #VIDEO | Momento del motín en la cárcel de #Altamira, #Brasil, que dejó 52 muertos.
Todo se desencadenó tras una pelea entre organizaciones criminales.#NoticiaEnSucre pic.twitter.com/TcAn1Cs190

— Radio Sucre 700 AM (@radio_sucre700) July 29, 2019

​The riot comes two months after 55 prisoners were killed in a battle in the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas.