Americas

Americas

Gunmen attack prison in southern Mexico, killing 9

04 January 2014 04:14 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least nine people were killed and two others seriously injured when a group of gunmen attacked a prison in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, state prosecutors said Friday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Six gunmen entered the prison in the Guerrero state town of Iguala early Friday by posing as public officials before firing at inmates and guards, the state prosecutor's office said in a statement.

The gunmen deceived the guard at the entrance by telling him they were delivering an inmate to the prison early Friday, it added.

"Once in the prison, the armed group started a confrontation against inmates and later trustees of safety tower, where four prisoners and five of the attackers were killed," the prosecutor's office said.

Five gunmen and four prisoners were killed in the clash. In addition, a prison guard and one of the alleged attackers were wounded by gunfire and hospitalized.

The prosecutor's office said the State Department of Public Safety and 27th Infantry Battalion of the Mexican Army have reestablished control in the prison after the clash.

So far, the motive behind the attack was not immediately known. Prosecutors have launched an investigation to determine the responsibilities of prison guards.

In June, a group of gunmen entered the Social Rehabilitation Center of the city of La Union, also in Guerrero, releasing nine prisoners, killing two guards and wounding four others.