Prison riot in Mexico kills 21

Times wire services report:

At least 21 inmates died Monday in a prison riot across the border from McAllen, Texas, as rival gangs fought a gun battle and set fire to the building.

"There was a shootout and then a fire. There are charred bodies among the dead," said a spokesman at the local attorney general's office who declined to be named.

Heavily armed soldiers quelled the fight and surrounded the prison, and anti-riot police wearing body armor patrolled the rooftops to prevent further disturbances.

Tamaulipas state authorities suspended the prison director and guards pending an investigation.

In September, at least 21 inmates were killed during a riot in La Mesa State Penitentiary in Tijuana. Click here for the story.

Click here for more on Mexico.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Comments

[southoc]

Can't seem to feel bad about about deceased criminals