Argentine prison fire kills at least 17
A fire apparently started by rebellious inmates swept through a prison south-east of Buenos Aires today, killing at least 17 inmates, police said.
The fire spread rapidly through a cell block in the prison in Magdalena, 45 miles south-east of Buenos Aires. Authorities said inmates had set mattresses and blankets alight, demanding more visiting hours for relatives.
Argentinian television showed anxious relatives waiting for word about loved ones outside the prison as a heavy police and national guard contingent stood guard at the main entrance.
The fire broke out before dawn and quickly spread out of control in the early hours, police said.
Authorities said firefighters were dispatched to the prison but there was no immediate report on whether they had brought the flames under control.
