Feb. 1 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. soldiers in Iraq shot and killed four inmates during a riot that spread through a prison in the far south of the country, a military spokesman said by telephone from Iraq.

Almost 3,000 prisoners rioted at Camp Bucca early yesterday afternoon after guards began a search for contraband, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson said. After ``45 minutes of escalating danger,'' guards opened fire, Johnson said. No soldiers were hurt in the uprising.

The violence spread through four of 10 compounds at the detention facility, according to a U.S. military statement.

``The situation is back to normal, calm,'' Johnson said. ``Certainly the guards are still aware of tensions in camp as a result of having to use force.''

Camp Bucca is outside Iraq's southern port city of Umm Qasr and houses 5,300 prisoners, all jailed as part of military efforts to contain an insurgency that has plagued the country, Johnson said.

The riot came after Iraqis voted Jan. 30 in the first national election since U.S. forces ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003.

To contact the reporter on this story: Demian McLean in Washington at dmclean8@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 31, 2005 16:29 EST