SAO PAULO (AFP) - Two inmates were killed during a prison mutiny and hostage-taking in the south-eastern Brazilian town of Itirapina that ended early on Monday, the authorities said.

A statement from the prison authorities of the state of Sao Paulo said all 68 hostages - relatives of the detainees - were released unharmed.

It was not known what caused the two fatalities during the mutiny, which began Sunday in the penitentiary, located 218km from Sao Paulo.

Officials said an elite police unit entered the prison,which houses 692 inmates, early on Monday to conduct an inspection.