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Dozens reported killed in prison riot in Monterrey, Mexico Dozens reported killed in prison riot in Monterrey, Mexico
(35 minutes later)
Dozens of people were killed in a riot in a prison in Monterrey, north-eastern Mexico, early on Thursday, local media reported, just days ahead of a planned visit by Pope Francis to another prison nearby.Dozens of people were killed in a riot in a prison in Monterrey, north-eastern Mexico, early on Thursday, local media reported, just days ahead of a planned visit by Pope Francis to another prison nearby.
Milenio TV said about 50 people were killed in the riot, and that some prisoners may have escaped. The report said relatives of prisoners had heard gunshots and that a blaze had broken out at about half past midnight.Milenio TV said about 50 people were killed in the riot, and that some prisoners may have escaped. The report said relatives of prisoners had heard gunshots and that a blaze had broken out at about half past midnight.
The riot started before dawn, local media said. Television images showed police vehicles patrolling the streets near the prison. Milenio reported that inmates’ relatives who had been within the jail’s premises for conjugal visits had seen inmates with burns, and that authorities were searching for escapees.The riot started before dawn, local media said. Television images showed police vehicles patrolling the streets near the prison. Milenio reported that inmates’ relatives who had been within the jail’s premises for conjugal visits had seen inmates with burns, and that authorities were searching for escapees.
Relatives of inmates shook the prison gates and tossed rocks at guards and police on the other side. “I want to know that my daughter is OK. She is in the infirmary. There are children in there,” one woman said.
The Nuevo León state government said on Twitter the situation had been brought under control, but gave no details on what had happened.The Nuevo León state government said on Twitter the situation had been brought under control, but gave no details on what had happened.
Security officials in Nuevo León could not immediately reached, but the state governor was scheduled to hold a press conference at 8am (2pm GMT). Security officials in Nuevo León could not immediately be reached, but the state governor was scheduled to hold a press conference at 8am (2pm GMT).
The incident is the latest in a series of deadly riots in recent years to hit the country’s overcrowded prisons, which often house inmates from different drug gangs.The incident is the latest in a series of deadly riots in recent years to hit the country’s overcrowded prisons, which often house inmates from different drug gangs.
In 2013, at least 13 people were killed and 65 injured in a prison riot, which was blamed on gang violence, in the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosí. In 2012, at least 44 inmates died in a Nuevo León prison when members of the notorious Zetas drug cartel plotted with prison guards in an elaborate escape.
Pope Francis is set to begin his first visit to Mexico as pontiff on Friday. Next week, he is set to visit a prison in the border city of Ciudad Juárez, which was once one of the most violent cities in the world.Pope Francis is set to begin his first visit to Mexico as pontiff on Friday. Next week, he is set to visit a prison in the border city of Ciudad Juárez, which was once one of the most violent cities in the world.
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