Mexico prison 'emptied' after deadly jailbreak attempt

Security forces have removed some 500 inmates from a prison in the northern Mexican city of Gomez Palacio after 24 people died during a foiled jailbreak, the BBC reported. The jail "has been totally emptied as a preventive measure," an official said, adding that the prisoners have been brought to other regional facilities. At least 15 inmates and nine guards were killed in Wednesday's shootout as the prisoners tried to escape. The Durango state jail has been at the centre of a series of scandals. The latest violence erupted when guards rang the alarm bell after seeing inmates climb the prison's back fence, Public Safety Secretary Jesus Rosso said. The prisoners then opened fire on the guard towers and the warden's office. The guards retaliated, initially shooting into the air before aiming at the inmates.