Banda Aceh Police have questioned a number of inmates in an investigation into a riot at Banda Aceh prison in Aceh Besar regency on Thursday.

The incident is believed to have started when three prisoners, including two drug convicts, were being transferred to a penitentiary in neighboring North Sumatra, kompas.com reported.

Dozens of inmates started to object and violence broke out. They threw stones, broke into the administration building and set fire to the prison.

"We are investigating the case. The police are working with relevant parties. Just let the police do their work," Banda Aceh Police chief Sr. Comr. T. Saladin said on Thursday as quoted by kompas.com.

After regaining control of the prison, the police detained an inmate believed to have incited the riot. The name of the prisoner has not been released.

At least six fire trucks were deployed to put out the fire at the prison, which houses about 500 inmates. (vla/ipa)