Inmates had threatened to throw hostages off the building

Local police chief Jorge Rodriguez said the Cordoba prison was mostly back under control and the inmates had handed over their weapons.

Five inmates, two guards and a police officer died and 25 people were hurt in the revolt, which began on Thursday.

The prisoners had been protesting about conditions in San Martin jail.

They had threatened to throw their hostages from the roof.

The inmates had been holding the prison governor and about 25 guards hostage, as well as some visiting families.

Escape bid

Mr Rodriguez said on Friday security forces had recaptured 90% of the prison building.

"The prison is under control," he said. "No-one is resisting at the moment. All of the prisoners have ceased their activities."

The authorities still had to check some remaining areas of the prison and inspect the inmates, he added.

The revolt began on Thursday afternoon after a prison guard pushed the wife of an inmate.

The incident sparked a fight in which prisoners seized weapons from the jail armoury.

A number of inmates are said to have died in a failed bid to flee the prison compound in a truck.

'Treated like animals'

Television footage showed inmates on a rooftop wielding knives while holding hostages - including a man in a bloodied shirt.

Dozens of relatives of the prisoners have been seen standing outside the prison fencing, calling out to those inside.

Fire is said to have engulfed part of the compound in the San Martin neighbourhood of Cordoba, a provincial capital in central Argentina.

Local reports say hostilities arose over demands for better visitation rights and improved living conditions for the reported 1,700 inmates.