Updated | At least 21 dead in attempted prison breakout in Brazil

At least 21 people were killed on Tuesday when inmates attempted to escape from a prison in the northern Brazilian city of Belem, officials said.

The breakout took place at 1 p.m. local time in the Santa Izabel Prison Complex in Belem, capital of the state of Para, when a group of armed men attacked the facility and sought to help some prisoners escape, according to public security officials.

Twenty of the dead have been identified as prisoners and their supporters trying to rescue them from outside.

One prison guard also died. Five other guards were injured, one severely.

(CGTN)