Prison riot in the Russian region of Volgograd leaves one dead and four injured

A riot broke out in a prison in the Russian region of Volgograd, leaving one prison guard dead and four others injured.

The incident occurred during a meeting of the disciplinary committee at Regional Prison No. 19, where several inmates reportedly took staff hostage.

The Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) confirmed the hostage-taking and said that efforts were being made to release the prisoners. Emergency personnel were sent to the prison to bring the situation under control.

Volgograd Governor Andrey Bocharov announced on social media that the four injured prison guards had been taken to hospital for treatment.

He assured the public that this was a police and security operation and that there was no danger to the civilian population.

The Russian Investigative Committee said preliminary findings indicated that a prison staff member was killed during the hostage-taking.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed of the incident during a Security Council meeting.

Reports circulated on social media that the uprising was started by four prisoners of Central Asian origin who attacked the guards.

There have also been unconfirmed claims that the uprising was staged by members of the terrorist organization Daesh. The prison houses over 1,200 inmates.