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Ecoley

8 Inmates die in riot at Guatemalan prison


    Guatemala City, Jan 1 (EFE).- Eight inmates were killed and 24 others injured in a riot at Puerto Barrios prison in the Caribbean coastal province of Izabal, Guatemalan authorities said Friday.

    Violence erupted late Thursday after prison officials thwarted a planned escape, the penitentiary service said on social media.

    Authorities have regained control of the situation at Puerto Barrios and members of multiple law enforcement agencies remain inside the prison conducting inspections, the service said.

    Seven prisoners were hurt during disturbances at the same institution in April 2014.

    Puerto Barrios, which lies some 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Guatemala City, holds around 800 inmates.

    A riot Nov. 30 at the Canada Prison Farm, located on Guatemala's southwestern Pacific coast, resulted in the deaths of 16 inmates.