Brazilian authorities have sent a military aircraft to Surinam to collect Brazilians who were injured in the violent clashes in recent days between locals and mainly Brazilian miners.

Armed forces put down a riot and looting rampage in the town of Albina, some 130 kilometres east of Paramaribo, where tensions between Brazilian gold prospectors and native Surinamese erupted on Christmas Eve, resulting in the killing of a Surinamese man.

In reaction to the killing, a group of up to 500 locals then went on a rampage. In the ensuing clashes, at least one Brazilian died and some 25 others were injured. Dozens of Brazilians reported they had been raped or assaulted. A Chinese shopping mall was looted and set ablaze during the unrest.

The Surinamese army and police rescued several Brazilians who had fled into the forest. Thirty-five suspects were detained. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said he is not holding Surinam's government responsible for the violence.

Paramaribo street scene by RNW