Authorities in Brazil say crime gangs continued to carry out attacks in the northeast for the third night in a row despite a heavy presence of security forces.
Local media published images of buses and public buildings engulfed by fire or bullet in nine cities, including Natal, the state capital of Rio Grande do Norte.
Authorities said at least 28 cities and towns in the state saw unrest this week.
State security sources said at least two people were killed in clashes with police earlier in the week and 67 others were arrested.
The violence, which began on Monday night, was staged by gang leaders from inside their prisons to protest against the poor conditions in which they live and the tightening of laws in the state to clamp down on criminal activity.
Pelo menos 40 cidades do Rio Grande do Norte já registraram ataques. Em Natal, escolas e postos de saúde estão fechados há três dias por causa da violência: https://t.co/3Lx06ymUBp #JG pic.twitter.com/bZB8yGfPvg
— Jornal da Globo (@JornalDaGlobo) March 17, 2023
The G1 news website reported that waste collection centres, a supermarket and a petrol station in Natal were set on fire.
Reinaldo Silva, who works in the city's construction, said he had never seen violence of this magnitude.
Brazilian authorities have sent an additional 220 federal police to the state of Rio Grande do Norte, and Justice and Security Minister Flavio Dino told CNN that the number could rise to 800 in the coming days.