SÃO PAULO, Brazil, Sept. 28 -- At least 11 prisoners died in a riot today
             that erupted after dozens of inmates escaped from a prison here.

             Two inmates were beaten to death by rival gangs and nine others died
             because of smoke from fires set in cells, a public security spokesman said. The
             prison holds 200 inmates.

             The riot started early today, after 59 prisoners escaped. A group of inmates
             who did not break out took a police official hostage and started rioting. The
             official was freed.

             By this evening, 21 of the escapees had been caught.