One hundred and twelve prisoners used the chaos to escape and have melted into the surrounding Amazon jungle.

The trouble began during New Year’s day family visits when one gang started killing the other, sending mothers and children streaming out of the prison in panic. Bodies were decapitated and thrown over the prison’s walls.

The privately-run prison’s guards were overwhelmed and soldiers had to be called in to restore order after 17 hours of mayhem. Brazil’s prison system is among the worst in the world, with 42% of inmates awaiting trial compared to a global average of 20%.

?? #Brésil Une mutinerie dans une prison de #Manaus ce week-end fait au moins 60 morts. Au moins 6 détenus retrouvés décapités. (CNN) pic.twitter.com/tGoBvibks2

— Actu17 (@Actu17) 2 gennaio 2017

Pope Francis, on hearing the news, appealed for prison reform and said “prison conditions should be fitting for human beings”.

One escapee boasted of his evasion and posted social media pictures of himself in the jungle, promising single ladies he was out and on his way.

The prison, built for less than 500 inmates, was crammed with nearly 1,500 when the violence erupted. (Euronews)

O mito pic.twitter.com/d4HFFmCKjP

— Manaus Frases ? (@manaus_frases) 3 gennaio 2017