A riot broke out in a prison near Monterrey in northern Mexico late last night and early this morning.

The riot resulted in a fire, and it is believed that combined they resulted in 52 inmates dead.

It's being reported that another twelve people were injured in Topo Chico jail after violence broke out overnight between prisoners belonging to rival factions.

In a statement, prison officials declared the situation under control, with no inmates escaping during the incident.

Officials say the situation is under control and no inmates have escaped.

The incident comes just days before Pope Francis is due to visit a prison in the northern city of Ciudad Juarez, an area notorious for violence between drugs cartels.