BEIJING, Dec. 30 -- At least seven foreign migrants are dead and hundreds more homeless after rioting and attacks against migrant workers broke out in Suriname in South America. The unrest also affected some Chinese living there.

    The rioting erupted Thursday in the town of Albina. It was sparked by an argument at a Christmas Eve party that ended with a Brazilian man stabbing a guest.

    Then about 500 local people plundered a shopping center and other business outlets on Christmas day.

    A number of supermarkets run by Chinese were also sacked. At least 20 Brazilian women were raped and a large number of cars destroyed during the turmoil.

    Police say the violence has been controlled, and all Brazilian migrants and some Chinese living in Albina have been evacuated.

    The town has about 5,000 residents, but due to a high rate of unemployment, relations are tense between locals and Brazilian migrant workers who came here to explore gold mines.

    (Source: CCTV.com)