At least 23 inmates escaped a prison in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as gangs opened fire and rammed the facility's gates, local authorities have said, APA reports.
The Secretary of Public Security of Jalisco, Juan Pablo Hernández, said the inmates escaped the regional prison during Sunday's blockades following the death of major cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho'.
He said: "Currently, the information available from the roll call indicates that 23 inmates have escaped. The corresponding alerts are being issued to federal authorities for their capture. This incident occurred when, unfortunately, criminal groups opened fire on the facility and used a vehicle to ram down a gate."
It's thought 'highly dangerous' inmates escaped from the reintegration centre at the Ixtapa prison after it was stormed by an armed group, according to Mexican news agency N+.
An armoured vehicle reportedly rammed through a gate of the prison, while a guard was killed in the shootout which followed after.
Mexico deployed thousands of troops as it braced for another wave of violence following the death of El Mencho.
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