Monterrey, Mexico (dpa) – A prison riot claimed at least 44 lives in northern Mexico during a clash of rival drug cartel members, officials said. Jorge Domene, spokesman for Nuevo Leon state public security, said the melee in the Apodaca prison Sunday stemmed from a feud between the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas. Prisoners from one cell block obtained access to another area to attack the inmates there, he said. “According to our preliminary investigations, all of the victims were housed in Cell Block Delta and were killed by makeshift knives, stones and iron bars,” he said. “We have ruled out use of firearms as a cause of death.” Domene also said officials were investigating whether the incident was related to a possible escape attempt. The prison 30 kilometers from the industrial capital Monterrey has a population of about 3,000 inmates, double the intended capacity. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/yd7CN Tags: Cartels, Mexico, Prison, Riot Section: Latest News, North America