Gang fights in three Guatemalan prisons on Monday left 23 dead, and the number of people injured is not yet clear, the Civil National Police (CNP) said.

The largest number of casualties occurred at the El Hoyon prison in Escuintla city, about 56 km south of the Guatemalan capital. The prison is under the jurisdiction of the CNP, local CNP inspector Daniel Guerrero said.

Thirteen prisoners were killed in the riots at the El Hoyon prison and more than 25 inmates were injured, spokesman for the Municipal Firefighter Corps Fernando Bolanos confirmed. However, public prosecutor Ricardo Leon said the number of wounded could be as high as 80.

Riots resulting from gang fights also occurred at Pavon prison, 18 km southeast of the capital and Canada prison in Escuintla.

Police forces have suppressed the riots and the authorities are investigating how the rioting inmates procured their weapons, Ministry of the Interior said.

A Human Rights Agency (HRA) official Osmin Revolorio said the clashes between inmates were triggered by a power struggle between the Mara Salvatrucha and the Mara-18 gangs, two of the most feared gangs in this Central American country.

Minister of the Interior Carlos Vielman said prisoners in the three prisons apparently coordinated their actions to increase chaos and tension.

He also said no prison breach occurred so far, but some Escuintla residents called the local radio station claiming to see several suspicious people covered in blood near the prison.

The riots have spread fear among local residents, and some businesses in Escuintla city were closed as a result of the prison violence.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2005)