Sao Paulo: Brazilian authorities say more than 150 prisoners have escaped a so-called semi-open prison during a riot, and more than 60 remain at large.  

The Department of Penitentiary Administration for Sao Paulo state says Tuesday’s riot at the lockup in the city of Bauru began when a guard confronted a prisoner who was using a cellphone.  

During the melee, 152 inmates escaped. Military police recaptured 90 of them and were looking for the rest.         

The penitentiary department says in a statement that the situation has been brought under control.  

At Brazil’s ‘semi-open’ prisons, inmates are allowed to leave for work and family visits.    

The country has seen a spate of violence at its higher-security lockups this year, with more than 120 people killed.