Gunmen in armoured vehicles attack prison in Mexico; 24 prisoners escape, at least 10 guards killed

In a startling incident which could be right out of a movie, men with guns travelling in armoured vehicles attacked a state prison in Mexico's Ciudad Juarez on 1 January 2022.

At least 10 guards and 4 inmates were killed, while 24 prisoners escaped as the gunmen opened fire. Over a dozen people were injured in the incident.

Mexican soldiers and state police claimed to have taken control of the prison later in the day.

In August, a riot inside the same state prison spread to the streets of Juarez in violence that left 11 people dead.

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In that case, two inmates were killed inside the prison and then alleged gang members started shooting up the town, including killing four employees of a radio station who were doing a promotion at a restaurant.

Violence is frequent in Mexican prisons, including in some where authorities only maintain nominal control. Clashes regularly erupt among inmate of rival gangs, which in places like Juarez serve as proxies for drug cartels.

(With AP inputs)