3 killed, 25 hurt in Mexican prison riot

TIJUANA, Mexico, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Three inmates were killed and at least 25 were injured in a prison riot in the Mexican border town of Tijuana, prison officials said.

The San Diego Union-Tribune said the riot, which followed the fatal stabbing of an 19-year-old inmate Saturday during a fight with guards at the overcrowded La Mesa penitentiary, left portions of the prison in ashes.

A prison guard was arrested and the prison's top commander and his lieutenant were being sought, the Union-Tribune reported.

Baja California public safety officials said two inmates were shot to death and the third man was fatally beaten and set ablaze. His remains were found after the 12-hour disturbance ended early Monday when police and Mexican soldiers took control of the facility, the newspaper reported.

Thirteen inmates were taken to hospitals and another 12 were treated at the prison infirmary.

"Those who started the riot are among the most dangerous inmates we have, said Baja public safety director Daniel de la Rosa Anaya. " They are kidnappers, assassins and people linked to organized crime."