RIO DE JANEIRO, February 9 (RIA Novosti) - Some 70 inmates have escaped from a jail in the southern Brazil's state of Santa Catarina on Monday through the building's main gates, local media said.
The guards at the prison in the state capital of Florianopolis later managed to catch only 17 of the inmates, while the others are still on the run, local media said citing justice officials.
Authorities said the breakout occurred when one of the guards left the door of a cell open. Shortly after the man and his co-worker were attacked by the prisoners who took their weapons and keys and escaped.
Police warned the prisoners could pose a threat to local residents.
