(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-05 19:14

BUENOS AIRES -- A prison in a northern Argentine province was struck by arson on Sunday evening, leaving at least 29 inmates dead and many others injured, the province's justice minister said on Monday.

Ricardo Daives told local media that some prisoners who tried to escape, started the fire and caused a riot. Most of the deaths were caused by asphyxia.

He said the situation in prison has been put under control, but the casualties might increase.

The injured have been hospitalized for smoke inhalation, and police have started investigating the incident.