TEGUCIGALPA (Honduras), May 3: A Honduran police official says at least 18 inmates have died in a prison attack.

Security Ministry spokesman Wilmer Torres says 31 prisoners were attacked by their cellmates with knives and guns just hours after they were transferred on Friday night to a prison in Tegucigalpa from San Pedro Sula, 180 kilometres north of the capital.

The prisoners fought back, engaging in a bloody battle. Thirteen survived.

Torres said the prison was under control later on Saturday and that police are investigating a motive for the attack.—AP