At least ten people have been injured in a riot at a state prison, called La Mesa, in Tijuana. Authorities say the injured include seven prisoners, two policemen and one prison guard.
Local media report the riot was touched off Sunday afternoon by the death of an inmate the previous day. Prisoners claim a guard killed him. However, early Monday morning, Baja California police officials said the riot broke out because guards had searched inamtes' cells for contraband.
Just after three-o-clock yesterday afternoon, hundreds of inmates climbed onto the prison's roof. They shouted justice and waved banners saying, "No more death." Rocks the prisoners threw rained down on the street below. At least five cars parked outside went up in flames. A fire burning inside the prison sent a thick black plume of smoke into the air.
The riot broke out just after visiting hours. Many visitors were still trapped inside late yesterday evening.
The La Mesa prison houses thousands of inmates, including a number with family in San Diego. Sunday evening, hundreds of the prisoners' relatives gathered in the street outside the facility hoping for some word about their loved ones.
A nun, named Mother Antonia, who quit her life as a Los Angeles homemaker more than 20 years ago to care for prisoners at the La Mesa Penitentiary, was not there when the riot broke out. She rushed back when she got word. However, she was not allowed in.
