Seven inmates die in US prison fight

A fight that erupted at a prison in the US state of South Carolina has left seven inmates dead, officials say.

The situation took eight hours to bring under control. Source: AAP

Seven inmates have been killed and 17 others wounded after fighting erupted at an all-male maximum security prison in South Carolina, officials say.

The violence broke out at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville on Sunday evening, the South Carolina Department of Corrections said.

The situation was only brought under control early on Monday morning, nearly eight hours later.

"The incident involved multiple inmate-on-inmate altercations in three housing units," prison officials wrote on Twitter, adding that all officers and staff were unharmed and accounted for.

Lee Correctional Institution houses around 1500 adult male inmates who are considered dangerous and violent offenders.