The warden of La Esperanza prison in northern Nicaragua was taken hostage Friday amid a brawl between two groups of inmates, Deputy Interior Minister Carlos Najar said.

Several inmates and four prison personnel were hurt in the fight, which broke out around 9:00 a.m., Najar told Channel 4 television in Managua.

Warden Elias Rocha is being held by some of the 838 inmates, the official said.