Prison riot 13 dead: A riot at a Mexican prison on Saturday left 13 dead and scores injured, local officials said.
Reuters reported that the riot took place in La Pila prison in the state of San Luis Potosi between prisoners in a cellblock.
Police were able to reestablish control over the facility on Saturday morning.
At least 100 inmates took part in the riot leaving around 65 injured and 13 dead. Officials did not make it clear if the 13 who were killed were labeled as injured as well.
Prisoners were armed with improvised weapons and sharp objects, Concepcion Tovar, the head of the state’s prison system, told the news agency.
Tovar was not clear if the riot was related to drug trafficking or cartels.
Agency spokeswoman Gabriela Gonzalez Chong called the violence a “fight not an uprising” against prison authorities.
San Luis Potosi Gov. Fernando Toranzo told a news conference that 13 inmates had died, and that 22 of the 65 injured were in serious condition.
Toranzo said officials would investigate whether prison authorities played a role in the clash.
Violent disputes between rival cartels and gangs often spill over into Mexico’s prisons, where fights, riots and escapes are common.
Reuters reported that the riot took place in La Pila prison in the state of San Luis Potosi between prisoners in a cellblock.
Police were able to reestablish control over the facility on Saturday morning.
At least 100 inmates took part in the riot leaving around 65 injured and 13 dead. Officials did not make it clear if the 13 who were killed were labeled as injured as well.
Prisoners were armed with improvised weapons and sharp objects, Concepcion Tovar, the head of the state’s prison system, told the news agency.
Tovar was not clear if the riot was related to drug trafficking or cartels.
Agency spokeswoman Gabriela Gonzalez Chong called the violence a “fight not an uprising” against prison authorities.
San Luis Potosi Gov. Fernando Toranzo told a news conference that 13 inmates had died, and that 22 of the 65 injured were in serious condition.
Toranzo said officials would investigate whether prison authorities played a role in the clash.
Violent disputes between rival cartels and gangs often spill over into Mexico’s prisons, where fights, riots and escapes are common.