The World : Brazil Frees 150 Hostages

Police stormed a prison in central Brazil, rescuing about 150 hostages at a cost of at least 10 lives. Officials said the victims were six convicts and two police officers. At least 20 officers and prisoners suffered injuries, authorities said. Most of the hostages were relatives of prisoners seized by about 250 mutinous convicts who overpowered guards as prison visiting hours were ending Sunday. A spokesman for the state government said the rescue operation was carried out by 300 heavily armed officers who “entered firing after negotiations failed.” The prisoners had demanded revolvers, machine guns, a bus to the airport and a plane to fly them to an undisclosed destination.