Seven killed in prison riot in Mexico’s gulf coast

MEXICO CITY — State security officials say seven inmates have died in a prison riot in Mexico’s Gulf coast state of Tamaulipas bordering Texas.

Tamaulipas security chief and state attorney general say the inmates were killed with makeshift knives in a fight in one cellblock in the coastal city of Altamira, about 300 miles south of Brownsville, Texas. Officials said in a statement Saturday that the riot occurred about 6 a.m. local time.

Two people were injured and nine were arrested, the statement said.

The victims ranged in age from 20 to 59, and were serving time for federal and state crimes.

Officials said nine inmates were responsible for starting the fight because of problems they had with the victims.

Thirty-one prisoners died in a riot in the same prison early last year.