Supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro have invaded the country’s presidential palace, Congress and ministries’ building, according to witnesses.

Images on social media show what looks like thousands of people, many draped in the yellow and green of the Brazil flag, streaming up the steps of the National Congress building in the capital city.

It is understood the supporters broke through a blockade set up by security forces and invaded the ministries building and Congress.

Protesters also surrounded the Planalto Palace, according to Reuters, and have now entered the Supreme Court.

Local media estimate that about 3,000 people are involved.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is currently in Sao Paulo state, on an official trip.

Those who targeted Congress climbed on top of the building’s roof and broke the glass in its windows.

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Protesters were seen on television smashing furniture inside the Supreme Court and the Congress.

Images on TV channel Globo News showed protesters roaming the presidential palace.

Lula’s Workers Party has asked the office of the top public prosecutor to order security forces in the capital to contain the demonstrators.

Some of the pictures that have emerged show protesters clashing with security personnel.

The incidents have echoes of the 6 January 2021 invasion of the US Capitol and come after left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in on 1 January.

Supporters of Mr Bolsonaro have been protesting against Mr Lula’s election win since 30 October, blocking roads, setting fire to vehicles and gathering outside military buildings, asking the armed forces to intervene.

Lula da Silva beat Bolsonaro in the vote but the former president repeatedly questioned, without evidence, the credibility of the country’s electronic voting system. Many of his hardcore supporters have continued to believe him.

It comes just days after reports that the presidential palace had been left in a “deteriorated” condition after Mr Bolsonaro moved out, with several items allegedly missing.

According to Ms da Silva, who showed Brazilian TV network TV Globo around after she moved in, rugs had been torn, floors damaged, a window broken, a ceiling had been stained by water leaks, and a massive banquet hall left bare of furniture.

Mr Bolsonaro left Brazil for Florida 48 hours before his full term elapsed.

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