Srinagar: Brazilian state authorities say at least 60 inmates have died during a prison riot in the northern state of Amazonas, a media report said on Monday.

State public security secretary Sergio Fontes says it’s the biggest prison massacre in the state’s history, the report said. And an unconfirmed number of inmates also escaped during the riot that extended from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning, the report added.

Two of the biggest crime gangs of Brazil began fighting last year over control of several prisons and authorities in Amazonas believe that’s the reason behind the first riot of 2017, the report said.

Fontes says the inmates made few demands to end the riot, which hints at a killing spree organised by members of a local gang against those of another that is based in Sao Paulo, the report said further.