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Riot kills 10 at Mazatlán prison
A riot during family visiting hours at a Mazatlán prison killed inmates and a visitor before security forces restored control.
What happened
Gunfire was heard in two modules at El Castillo Penitentiary on Thursday, prompting state and federal security forces to enter. Authorities reported deaths among inmates and a visitor, while injured inmates were taken for treatment. The prison was later declared under control, and prosecutors were notified to investigate.
Numbers
- 10 killedInmates and a visitor killed
- 16 injuredInmates taken for medical treatment
- 1,800 inmatesPopulation held at El Castillo
Questions
- How did security forces respond?
- The army, National Guard, navy and state security forces entered the prison after the clash and later declared it under control.
- What prompted the security response?
- Custodians heard gunfire in modules four and five, activated an alert and notified the interinstitutional security group for assistance.
- What wider conflict frames the violence?
- Sinaloa has faced violence linked to a dispute between cartel factions after the United States captured Ismael Zambada, beginning in Culiacán before extending to Mazatlán.
- What weapons were found afterward?
- Authorities found two nine-millimetre handguns during the search and continued checking the prison for further weapons after order was restored.
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The catch
Authorities have not confirmed how the deaths occurred or whether firearms caused them.
The investigation remains ongoing.