50 inmates injured in South Africa prison riot

About 50 inmates were injured in a stampede as police quelled a riot in a central South Africa prison early Tuesday, authorities said.

Police reinforcements were called in and stun grenades were used to enable them to gain entry into the Groenpunt Prison in the central province of the Free State, Xinhua news agency quoted local press as saying.

Four guards were hurt and the inmates suffered minor injuries in the uprising but situation at the prison remained peaceful, said police spokesperson Peter Kareli.

The riot began Monday afternoon as prisoners, who complained about poor management and food, refused to eat and barricaded their unit to prevent guards from entering.