52 Inmates Die After Riot, Fire In A Prison In Mexico

by Fox News | International

At least fifty-two inmates of a prison in Mexico have been confirm dead after a combination of rioting and fire broke out.

The incident is happening only days before Pope Francis begin his official visit to Latin America this week where he is expected to embark on his first trip to Mexico as pontiff on Friday.

The pontiff is scheduled to visit a prison in the border city of Ciudad Juarez next week, according to media reports.

According to Fox News, a riot and fire broke out Thursday at the prison in northern Mexico, killing at least 52 inmates. But it is not the same prison that the pontiff is planning to visit.

Nuevo Leon State Governor, Jaime Rodriguez told the media that the riot was caused by two rival factions inside the Topo Chico prison in Monterrey.

Rescue workers could be seen bringing injured inmates away from the prison, at least some with burns.

Images broadcast by Milenio TV also showed flames leaping from the prison, with a crowd of people bundled against the cold gathered outside the prison.

Some shook and kicked at the prison gates, demanding to be allowed in.