Crowds dressed in the national colours (yellow and green) and wrapped in the Brazilian flag, overwhelmed police in scenes reminiscent of the storming of the US Capitol two years ago.

Some reached the deserted Senate chamber, others entered the presidential palace, the Supreme Court and other government buildings.

Brazilian security forces say they have now regained control, as hundreds of people who stormed the buildings have been arrested by police. Bolsonaro's supporters refuse to accept his election defeat last October by his socialist rival, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was sworn in a week ago.

Bolsonaro, who is currently in Florida, tweeted several hours after Congress was stormed. He condemned the protests and rejected Da Silva's accusation that he had a role in spurring the unrest.

Da Silva has inspected the damage inflicted on Congress after it was ransacked by supporters of his predecessor.

A Supreme Court judge has suspended the governor of Brasilia for security failures, while the Brazilian government has announced the tightening of security around the capital.

BBC