A heated debate in Mexico City’s congress took a dramatic turn on Monday, spiraling into a physical altercation as lawmakers engaged in hair-pulling, punching, and shoving. The chaos erupted following an opposition-led protest concerning the city’s transparency institute.

Footage from inside the legislative chamber captured the scene as tensions escalated rapidly, with legislators leaping at one another while some onlookers recorded the skirmish on their phones.

According to Reuters, the altercation began amidst discussions about potentially disbanding Mexico City’s transparency institute.

The confrontation was sparked when one female legislator grabbed the hand of another, who responded by pulling her hand away and striking back with an elbow to the stomach.

The debate in Mexico City over the transparency institute descended into disorder as lawmakers clashed physically, forcing the session to be relocated while others documented the pandemonium on video. (Mexico City Congress Handout)

The first woman retaliated by striking her in the back, then seized the other woman’s hair as the scuffle escalated.

A man stepped in and tried to pry her hand loose, but more lawmakers rushed forward as shoving spread across the dais.

A Mexico City debate over the city’s transparency institute erupted into a chaotic brawl as lawmakers shoved, struck and filmed one another, forcing the session to move. (Mexico City Congress Handout)

Several women were seen pushing and grappling while bystanders lifted phones to record the chaos.

Lawmakers from the opposition National Action Party had taken over the congressional podium to protest the measure at the center of the debate.

Pictured: An Aerial view of Mexico City on Sep. 8, 2016, Mexico. (Frédéric Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images)

The opposition accused Morena – the ruling party – of breaking an agreement to create a new transparency body, sparking the podium occupation.

The session unraveled as shouting escalated, and rival groups clashed across the chamber.

The meeting was ultimately suspended and relocated to another venue, so lawmakers could resume deliberations, local media reported.