This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35551857
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
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. | |
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. | |
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. |
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 prison | Topo Chico prison |
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. | |
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. |
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. |
You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Read the terms and conditions. | Read the terms and conditions. |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |