At Least 26 Killed In Salvadoran Prison Uprising

SAN SALVADOR, Aug 18 (AFP) - At least 26 prisoners died Wednesday when an uprising broke out in Salvador's largest prison, officials said.
The revolt started after a group of detainees refused to return to their cells and tried to escape by climbing a prison wall, said National Civil Police deputy director Pedro Gonzalez.
Police said early reports indicate that a group of guards fired shots in the air to control the revolt at La Esperanza prison, which has 3,200 prisoners and is six kilometers (four miles) north of San Salvador.
Anti-riot police was deployed to the prison in an effort to restore order, authorities said. Officers surrounded the jail to stop any escape attempts.
A helicopter hovered above the prison, while the road leading to jail was closed.