Sinaloa authorities said nine inmates and one family visitor were killed Thursday at El Castillo penitentiary in Mazatlan, and that the prison is now under control.
A clash during family visiting hours on Thursday at El Castillo penitentiary in Mazatlan killed nine inmates and one family member, Sinaloa's Public Security Secretariat said, the Associated Press reported. Sixteen prisoners were taken for medical treatment.
Al Jazeera reported that Public Security Secretary Sinuhe Tellez said in a video that the visitor who was killed was a minor. Authorities have not said how the deaths occurred. Local media reported that inmates used firearms; officials had not confirmed that detail in the AP account.
Army, National Guard, navy and state forces entered the prison. Mexico's federal security cabinet said the facility, which holds about 1,800 inmates, is under control. Tellez said visits were suspended and that social-work staff were contacting families.
Sinaloa is a battleground for factions of the Sinaloa cartel, and the U.S. State Department advises against travel to the state. Officials have not said whether the prison violence was linked to that conflict.
The death toll is the authorities' figure. No court finding on the cause was reported.
People Sentiments Negative
- Sinuhe Tellez said the visitor who was killed was a minor.
- The federal security cabinet said the prison is under control.