An ongoing prison riot in Mississippi has left one guard dead and five injured, authorities say.

The “inmate disturbance” began at 2:40pm at the Adams County Correctional Facility – a 2,567 low-security prison in Natchez, Miss., the Natchez Democrat reports.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield told the newspaper that the riot was linked to a power struggle among hierarchies within the inmate ranks.

Witnesses say they saw white smoke – possibly tear gas – and sounds of gunfire coming from inside the prison.