52 Die In Mexico Prison Riot, As Families Rush Out To See If Relatives Are Alive

Streets outside the prison were blocked by families worried about relatives inside

A battle between rival groups at a prison near Monterrey in northern Mexico has left 52 inmates dead. Nuevo Leon state Governor Jaime Rodriguez said 12 other people were injured in Topo Chico jail after prisoners fought with "sharp weapons, bats and sticks".

A fire was also started in a storage room. Officials say the situation is under control and no inmates escaped.

Crowds of relatives outside the jail blocked roads, demanding information. Some threw sticks and rocks and tried to pull the prison gate open as riot police blocked their way. The incident comes just days before Pope Francis is due to visit a prison in the northern city of Ciudad Juarez, an area notorious for violence between drugs cartels.