Brazil bank hold-up: Five hostages killed including one child after six robbers storm bank

Gunfire erupted in the city of Milagres, in the state of Ceara, when police were waiting as the robbers attempted to escape from the second bank. The gang was shot dead in a fierce shootout which lasted 20 minutes. Five people taken hostage were killed by the robbers, the mayor of Milagres said. 

Local media reports that four of the hostages were from the same family. One of the group was a child.

They were reportedly travelling to the nearby airport when the gang took them hostage while making their escape. 

Mayor Lielson Landin told Radio Band News: “Our information from the hospital is 11 victims killed – six bandits and five hostages.”

Landin added that “the criminals killed the hostages, and police killed the criminals”.

Some Brazilian media reports put the total death toll as high as 13.

The shooting started at 4.17am GMT (2.17am local time). 

Pictures taken by eyewitnesses show an armoured police car blockading a road close to the scene of the shootout.

A statement from the government of Milagres said: “The measure is taken in accordance with the guidelines of the Military Police command, which at that time has the support of CIOPAER helicopters and a large number of police officers who are in the centre and vicinity of the city, in the capture of bandits who have undertaken escape this morning.”

More to follow…