Violence continues in Brazil: police killed at least seven more criminals

Brazilian news media reported at least seven deaths overnight in and around Sao Paulo, in addition to the 133 people already killed in a rampage of violence that began Friday night.

Photo: Violence continues in Brazil: police killed at least seven more criminals

Officials did not immediately confirm the new deaths and gave few details about clashes on Tuesday in which they said 33 suspected gang members died.

Police said they have gained the upper hand over the notorious gang that attacked dozens of police stations, killed police on the streets and in their homes and burned scores of public buses, the AP reports.

Authorities say 71 suspected gang members have died, as well as 40 police officers and jail guards and four civilians.

State officials said 18 inmates died in two prison systems, though they did not give details of how.

Brazilian newspapers pointed out Wednesday that authorities did not release the names of those killed in Tuesday's clashes, nor did they say where they occurred or say if injured suspects received treatment at hospitals.

Some warned that the strategy of hitting back hard at gang members could backfire on authorities.

The crime spree showed the strength of organized crime in the financial and industrial heart of Brazil, and it sent fear rippling through the metropolis of 18 million.