BRASIL: 31 Dec UPDATE: 9 Hostages Found Safe; Police Still Hunt For 6 Thieves...After Bungled Gem Robbery.

     http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20872237
     IST LINK CHANGE/  some new details

      9 hostages...taken by armed bandits after a botched gem robbery in Rio do Grande state...were freed after being held for 20 hours...safe and sound...found 5km from the burgled jewelry factory.
     200 police...along with dogs and helicopters...searched heavily wooded areas in Cotipora...for the hostages...and 6 remaining thugs who forced them to flee after a robbery.
     The armed thugs have not yet been found.

     3 thieves died...including a notorious robber...after they stormed a gem cutting plant... using dynamite to gain entrance.

     2 police were wounded...and some of the loot was recovered.