Dozens killed in Mexican prison riot
- 12 years ago
Anxious relatives await news outside a prison facility in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey Sunday after a riot erupted between inmates, leaving dozens dead.
Some try to break down entry gates, desperate to know their loved ones' fate.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RELATIVE OF INMATE, GUADALUPE SAYING:
"We want them to listen to us. There are many family members here and there are many innocent prisoners inside that are injured. We need ambulances, we want governor Rodrigo Medina to listen to us, they are not listening. Inside there are many innocent people."
Authorities say at least 44 people died after fights broke out in the early morning.
Powerful drug cartels are fighting for control of smuggling routes along the U.S.-Mexico border and rivalries often spread into the prison system.
About 50,000 people have died in Mexico in the past five years since President Felipe Calderon launched a war on drug cartels.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
Some try to break down entry gates, desperate to know their loved ones' fate.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RELATIVE OF INMATE, GUADALUPE SAYING:
"We want them to listen to us. There are many family members here and there are many innocent prisoners inside that are injured. We need ambulances, we want governor Rodrigo Medina to listen to us, they are not listening. Inside there are many innocent people."
Authorities say at least 44 people died after fights broke out in the early morning.
Powerful drug cartels are fighting for control of smuggling routes along the U.S.-Mexico border and rivalries often spread into the prison system.
About 50,000 people have died in Mexico in the past five years since President Felipe Calderon launched a war on drug cartels.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters