38 killed in Mexican prison riot

By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 1:08 PM EST, Sun February 19, 2012

Mexico City (CNN) -- A prison riot in northern Mexico killed at least 38 people Sunday morning, a security official said.

Inmates took a guard hostage as clashes broke out in the prison in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, the state-run Notimex news agency said.

Preliminary reports indicate that at least 38 people died, state security spokesman Jorge Domene said.

Dozens of people gathered outside the prison to find out whether their family members had died, according to Notimex.

In May 2011, 14 inmates were killed and 35 people were injured in a fire in the prison's psychiatric ward.

38 killed in Mexican prison riot - CNN.com