At least 11 inmates were killed in the tumult of a prison break on Friday in the city of Saint-Marc, officials said.
"The situation is under control, but the results are catastrophic," State prosecutor Venson Francois told local Press.
"All the cops' dormitories have burned down. The archives have burned down. They've set everything on fire except their cells," Francois added.
Unverified videos of the prison break posted on social media showed people scaling walls amid fire, smoke and a loud explosion. Gunfire was also heard near the prison.
A local government official said the turmoil was a spontaneous protest reflecting inmates' frustration with the prison's living conditions that he said include a lack of food and appalling health conditions.
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