Mexico City, Feb 20 (IANS): At least 38 inmates were killed and several others wounded Sunday in a clash inside a prison in Mexico, an official said.

The clash broke out at Apodaca prison in the northern state of Nuevo Leon, Xinhua reported.

State government security spokesman Jorge Domene said it occurred between 2 and 3 a.m. Sunday "for reasons not yet determined".

A preliminary report said the clash erupted between prisoners kept in cells of "low and moderate danger".

Inmates set fire to several mattresses. Security personnel later found several weapons used in the mutiny.

The clash was brought under control around 9.30 a.m. after the intervention of federal and state police.

This was one of the largest riots recorded in recent months in the state. On Oct 13, seven inmates were killed and three others wounded after a fight between rival gangs in the prison of Cadereyta.

On Jan 4, another riot took place in a prison in the northern state of Tamaulipas that left 31 dead and 13 wounded.