A South African government official says two prisoners were killed and 65 injured when a fight broke out between two gangs.

Regional commissioner Nkosinathi Breakfast said 17 of the injured were taken to the hospital. He said the prisoners were using "all sorts of objects" in the battle.

Breakfast said 2,083 prisoners - all awaiting trial - are held at St. Albans prison in the eastern city of Port Elizabeth. He said some have been there longer than five years.