AFP/Getty Images
On the eve of Pope Francis’ historic 6-day visit to Mexico, a prison riot between rival gangs in the northern city of Monterrey has resulted in at least 52 dead and 12 more injured, according to the preliminary count.
Nuevo Léon governor Jaime Rodriguez said at a press conference Thursday morning that the riot started Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. during a fight between two rival gang leaders known as “El Credo” and “Z-27.”
#AlMomento Imágenes aéreas del #PenaldelTopoChicohttps://t.co/A8Isgh0Yor https://t.co/4ZnyTU6LUa
— Telediario (@telediariomty) February 11, 2016
Prisoners reportedly set fire to storage rooms during the riot, but it’s still not clear whether that was the principal cause of death. It’s also not clear from the government’s initial reports whether prison guards were among the dead.
Mexican police has reportedly regained control of the Topo Chico state prison, and authorities say they have secured the surrounding area.
The penitentiary is home to rival Zetas and Gulf Cartel members, but not Sinaloa boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Authorities say no inmates escaped during the riots.
Motín en penal de Topo Chico deja al menos 30 muertos https://t.co/r8KFKY9sbI pic.twitter.com/fyZFA8Z1pw
— Noticieros Televisa (@NTelevisa_com) February 11, 2016
Some of the injured inmates are being transferred to a local hospital. Inmates are also reportedly being transferred to other prisons outside the state.
Trasladan lesionados tras riña en Penal del Topo Chico. Confirman 1 muerto y 11 lesionados.@telediariomty @Cicmty pic.twitter.com/BCV76Y4WNh
— Israel Santacruz (@israelstacruz) September 26, 2015
Dozens of family members of the inmates have gathered outside Topo Chico to demand more information. A group of desperate family members are currently clashing with riot police who are trying to keep the prison gates closed.
A empujones y pedradas, familiares intentan derribar puerta del #PenaldelTopoChicohttps://t.co/A8Isgh0Yor https://t.co/ZpgO0Oc0VB
— Telediario (@telediariomty) February 11, 2016
There have been several other attacks on Topo Chico in recent years, when gang members threw grenades from outside the prison walls. Last year, a former Zetas Cartel leader was stabbed to death in prison.
Motín penal Topo Chico #Monterrey @info7mty @retioMTY pic.twitter.com/8ih3kWsGXw
— Angel Medellín (@Angel_Info7) February 11, 2016
Thursday’s riot is reminiscent of a 2012 fight between rival gangs at a Nuevo León jail known as Apodaca, where more than 40 people were killed.