At least 50 killed, 90 injured in Venezuela prison riot (PHOTOS)

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Published time: January 26, 2013 02:40
Edited time: January 26, 2013 08:00

At least 50 people are reported to have been killed and 90 more injured as inmates at a Venezuelan prison clashed with National Guard troops on Friday.

Most of those injured at the Uribana prison in Lara state suffered gunshot wounds, hospital official Ruy Medina told AFP. He stressed that the death toll was "alarming," saying it was based solely on bodies brought to the hospital.

Penitentiary Service Minister Iris Varela confirmed on state television that a riot had broken out in the prison in the city of Barquisimeto, when groups of inmates attacked National Guard troops who were attempting to carry out an inspection.

Members of the National Guard take shelter before a riot in front of the prison Uribana, in Barquisimeto, Lara state, Venezuela, on January 25, 2013.(AFP Photo / Dedwinson Alvarez-Diario el Impulso)

A member of the Venezuelan army leads a prisoner wounded during a riot in the Uribana prison, in Barquisimeto, Lara state, Venezuela, on January 25, 2013.(AFP Photo / Dedwinson Alvarez-Diario el Impulso)