The great escape: 31 prisoners break free from Brazil jail via sewage system... only to be recaptured

Dozens of inmates escaped from a Brazilian prison crawling through the sewage system, authorities said.

An official at Rio de Janeiro state's Bangu prison complex told media that 31 prisoners attempted the break yesterday.

Within hours four were recaptured still inside the sewage system.

It is unclear what the prisoners were serving time for.

Rio state's Prison Affairs Department has ordered an investigation into the prison break.