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Mexico prison riot leaves 'dozens dead' in Monterrey | Mexico prison riot leaves 'dozens dead' in Monterrey |
(35 minutes later) | |
Dozens of people are reported to have been killed in a riot and a fire at a prison in northern Mexico. | Dozens of people are reported to have been killed in a riot and a fire at a prison in northern Mexico. |
The riot at the Topo Chico jail near the city of Monterrey broke out just after midnight. | |
Smoke was seen billowing from the complex but officials in Nuevo Leon state say the situation is now under control and no prisoners have escaped. | |
Crowds of people worried about relatives inside the jail blocked roads outside, demanding information. | |
"I want to know that my daughter is OK. She is in the infirmary. There are children in there," one woman said. | |
The incident comes just days before Pope Francis is due to visit a prison in the northern city of Ciudad Juarez, an area notorious for violence between drugs cartels. | |
It was not immediately clear how many people had died in Topo Chico. Broadcaster Televisa put the toll at 30, while Milenio TV said 50 people had been killed. | |
Milenio said inmates and guards were among the casualties. | Milenio said inmates and guards were among the casualties. |
Topo Chico prison | |
The Nuevo Leon state government said the situation was under control but gave no details on what had happened. | |
Witnesses reported hearing shouts and explosions when the fire began in the early hours. | |
Mexican newspaper El Universal said one of four buildings in the prison had been set alight by inmates burning furniture and rubbish. | Mexican newspaper El Universal said one of four buildings in the prison had been set alight by inmates burning furniture and rubbish. |
The cause of the riot was not clear. One report said it had been triggered by an escape attempt by prisoners belonging to the notorious Zetas drugs cartel. | The cause of the riot was not clear. One report said it had been triggered by an escape attempt by prisoners belonging to the notorious Zetas drugs cartel. |
Gang violence and break-outs are common in Mexico's notoriously overcrowded and corrupt prison system. | Gang violence and break-outs are common in Mexico's notoriously overcrowded and corrupt prison system. |
In 2012, 44 inmates were killed in a riot at the Apodaca prison in Monterrey. Another 30 prisoners escaped. The prison's director was later sacked. | In 2012, 44 inmates were killed in a riot at the Apodaca prison in Monterrey. Another 30 prisoners escaped. The prison's director was later sacked. |
Are you in Monterrey? You can email your story to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Monterrey? You can email your story to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
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