Hundreds flee during prison riot

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- More than 100 prisoners fled a Mexican prison during a widespread riot in which authorities killed three inmates, El Universal reported Saturday.

While most of the inmates were caught soon after fleeing the Cancun facility, more than two dozen remained at-large following the Friday break.

Hundreds of police and military authorities converged on the prison following the outbreak of violence at the penitentiary some 10 miles from the country's most famous tourist resort.

Prisoners began rioting earlier Friday in order to halt the transfer of reputed gang leader Marcos Gallegos, otherwise known as "The Godfather."

Officials said Gallegos was not among the prisoners who escaped.