Brazil - 6 dead as bank robbers open fire on police

A shootout between police and bank robbers in northeastern Brazil leaves six people dead, including three officers and two onlookers.

A shootout between police and bank robbers in northeastern Brazil left six people dead, including three officers and two onlookers, local media reported.

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Ceara state police officers surprised the group of about 10 men armed with rifles, pistols and shotguns inside the bank on Friday afternoon in the northeastern city of Acopiara, the G1 Web site reported.

The robbers opened fire, killing three officers as well as a taxi driver and a fish seller who stopped outside the bank, G1 said. A suspected robber also was killed.

The rest of the gang fled with an undetermined amount of cash.

Telephone calls on Friday to the state police office in Acopiara went unanswered.