Police in a violent shootout killed 11 suspects of theft of several banks in southern Brazil

On Thursday, the Brazilian police shot dead 11 of 25 people who allegedly tried to steal two banks in the southern city of Guararema, according to Globo's G1 portal.

According to the press office of the military police, three other people were arrested. Shortly after, the officers seized an armored vehicle stolen the previous night in San Bernardo do Campo.

A family was taken hostage when one of the robbers escaped, but no one was injured.

On Thursday, at dawn, 25 individuals heavily armed with explosives attempted to storm a branch of Banco do Brasil and one of Banco Santander with five armored vehicles.

Colonel Mário Alves Da Silva said that the attackers, intercepted during their flight, were "equipped for the war" with bullet-proof vests, pistols, rifles and additional ammunition, among other weapons.

The president of the country, Jair Bolsonaro, congratulated the work of the agents.

"Congratulations to the ROTA officers for the swift and effective action against 25 heavily armed and equipped bandits who attempted to steal two banks in the town of Guararema and also held a family hostage." Eleven bandits were killed and no innocent person was hurt. ", the chief expressed on his Twitter account.