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Mexico prison riot leaves 52 dead near Monterrey Mexico prison riot leaves 52 dead near Monterrey
(35 minutes later)
A riot and a fire at a prison near Monterrey in northern Mexico has left 52 people dead, state officials say. A riot and a fire at a prison near Monterrey in northern Mexico has left 52 people dead.
Another 12 were injured in the riot at Topo Chico jail that broke out just after midnight. Nuevo Leon state Governor Jaime Rodriguez said 12 other people were injured in Topo Chico jail after violence broke out overnight between prisoners belonging to rival factions.
Smoke was seen billowing from the complex but officials in Nuevo Leon state say the situation is now under control and no inmates have escaped. Officials say the situation is under control and no inmates have escaped.
Crowds of people worried about relatives inside the jail blocked roads outside, demanding information.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."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.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.
There was no official word on how many people had died in Topo Chico until a statement by Nuevo Leon state Governor Jaime Rodriguez several hours after trouble broke out. Initial reports said up to 60 people had died and anxious families of inmates had to wait several hours before Mr Rodriguez confirmed the numbers.
He said the fight had involved a faction led by a member of the notorious Zetas drug cartel.
"We are experiencing a tragedy," he said."We are experiencing a tragedy," he said.
Topo Chico prisonTopo Chico prison
"The authorities formed a security cordon and nobody escaped. Everything was under control at 1.30am," state public security spokesman Antonio Arguello told AFP news agency. Earlier, state public security spokesman Antonio Arguello told AFP news agency that authorities had formed a security cordon and no-one had escaped.
Witnesses reported hearing shouts and explosions when the fire began in the early hours. Witnesses reported hearing shouts and explosions when the fire began.
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.
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 2013, 13 people died in a battle between inmates at the La Pila jail in the central state of San Luis Potosi.In 2013, 13 people died in a battle between inmates at the La Pila jail in the central state of San Luis Potosi.
A year earlier, 44 inmates were killed in a riot at the Apodaca prison in Monterrey. Another 30 prisoners escaped. The prison's director was later sacked.A year earlier, 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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