xi's moments
Home | Americas

51 killed in Colombian prison riot fire

Xinhua | Updated: 2022-06-28 20:27

People react outside the Tulua prison after an attempted riot that caused a fire where several prisoners were dead and injured in Tulua, Colombia June 28, 2022. [Photo/Agencies]

BOGOTA - At least 51 people died and 24 others were injured on Tuesday in a blaze at a prison in the southwestern Colombian city of Tulua, after inmates rioted and set fire to mattresses, local authorities said.

The prison does not have a firefighting system, according to Tito Castellanos, director of the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute. "What we initially managed to use were portable extinguishers."

Once the fire broke out early morning at the prison housing 180 inmates, a protocol went into effect to save those inside, and some guards were injured trying to help the inmates, he said.

The injured, including two guards, were taken to local hospitals by Tulua firefighters, who brought the fire under control. According to health authorities, nine of the injured were in intensive care units due to severe burns and smoke inhalation.

As many as 49 of the inmates died at the prison and two others died after being taking to hospital.

No prisoners escaped during the riot sparked by a clash between some of the inmates, said Castellanos.

Colombian President Ivan Duque tweeted: "We lament the events that occurred at the Tulua prison ... I have ordered an investigation to clarify this terrible situation. My solidarity with the families of the victims."

President-elect Gustavo Petro also lamented the incident and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

Global Edition
BACK TO THE TOP
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349