distance fire smash out Early Tuesday during a prison riot in Southwest Colombia, at least 51 prisoners were killed and more More than 25 others were injured national Prison Agency said.
The tragedy occurred while the inmates rioted set a fire at about 2 a.m. to try to prevent the police from entering their sheds in prison in The city of Take over, said Tito Castellanos, director of National Institute of Prisons and Corrections (INPEC).
“Unfortunately, 51 prisoners died and 24 others were injured,” Justice Minister Wilson Ruiz told W Radio. six of The wounded remain.in Intensive care unit in take over” added. Castellanos had earlier given ‘riots’ death death toll 49 with 30 more, including six prison Guards “injured and damaged by fire and smoke.” The prisonwho holds more More than 1,200 prisoners, surrounded by police and soldiers.
By late morning, there were no bodies removed From prison. “By setting the mattresses on fire, they didn’t realize what the consequences might be, and unfortunately this happened,” Castellanos told RCN radio. He said firefighters had brought the fire under control.
Outside prisondozens of family members gathered hope for information on loved ones. a prison official gave first list of Alive for those who wait. “Me, no know Anything, INPEC won’t let us inWeeping Maria Eugenia Rojas, who son Luis Miguel Rojas is a guest in In the ward where the riots took place, Caracol TV said.
Lorena, who did not give Her family, she told El Tiempo newspaper, she spoke to her partner in prison at dawn.
“That seems illogical to me people Closed in a building Will be set Mattresses burn, knowing that they can burn.”
It could have been worse.’
The authorities initially said they were investigating whether the accident occurred in part of a escape Attempt but later said it was a riot. He added, “This situation was provoked by a fight This is broken out among prisoners. One of Guests set fire – He was angry, upset – because of the mattress that caused the fire,” said Ruiz.
There were 180 guests in The prison Department affected fire. Castellanos praised these efforts of prison Guards to control the fire and help prisoners for safety. He said that without their interference. result It could have been worse.” Forensic experts are trying to identify the victims.
Outgoing President Evan Duque sent a tweet expressing his solidarity with Relatives of the victims. “We are sorry for events It happened in The prison in said Duque Tolua, Valle del Cauca. “I have been instructed to clarify this terrible situation. My solidarity with families of victims.”
President-elect Gustavo Petro also He expressed his sympathy and said on Twitter that there must be “a complete rethinking of prison policy”that take into account”prisoner dignity.”
“The Colombian state has seen prison K space for revenge Nor for Rehabilitation,” added petro, who won The run-off election earlier this month will replace Doki on August 7.
he is also made A reference to the riots in La Modelo prison in Bogota in 2002 that left 23 guests dead. deadly prison Rioting is not uncommon in Latin america. In Ecuador, neighboring Colombia, nearly 400 prisoners were killed in six Riots since early 2021.
Colombia prison system he has the ability of 97,000 guests but packed with about 16,000, according to INPEC. take over prison Overcrowded at 17%.
distance fire smash out Early Tuesday during a prison riot in Southwest Colombia, at least 51 prisoners were killed and more More than 25 others were injured national Prison Agency said.
The tragedy occurred while the inmates rioted set a fire at about 2 a.m. to try to prevent the police from entering their sheds in prison in The city of Take over, said Tito Castellanos, director of National Institute of Prisons and Corrections (INPEC).
“Unfortunately, 51 prisoners died and 24 others were injured,” Justice Minister Wilson Ruiz told W Radio. six of The wounded remain.in Intensive care unit in take over” added. Castellanos had earlier given ‘riots’ death death toll 49 with 30 more, including six prison Guards “injured and damaged by fire and smoke.” The prisonwho holds more More than 1,200 prisoners, surrounded by police and soldiers.
By late morning, there were no bodies removed From prison. “By setting the mattresses on fire, they didn’t realize what the consequences might be, and unfortunately this happened,” Castellanos told RCN radio. He said firefighters had brought the fire under control.
Outside prisondozens of family members gathered hope for information on loved ones. a prison official gave first list of Alive for those who wait. “Me, no know Anything, INPEC won’t let us inWeeping Maria Eugenia Rojas, who son Luis Miguel Rojas is a guest in In the ward where the riots took place, Caracol TV said.
Lorena, who did not give Her family, she told El Tiempo newspaper, she spoke to her partner in prison at dawn.
“That seems illogical to me people Closed in a building Will be set Mattresses burn, knowing that they can burn.”
It could have been worse.’
The authorities initially said they were investigating whether the accident occurred in part of a escape Attempt but later said it was a riot. He added, “This situation was provoked by a fight This is broken out among prisoners. One of Guests set fire – He was angry, upset – because of the mattress that caused the fire,” said Ruiz.
There were 180 guests in The prison Department affected fire. Castellanos praised these efforts of prison Guards to control the fire and help prisoners for safety. He said that without their interference. result It could have been worse.” Forensic experts are trying to identify the victims.
Outgoing President Evan Duque sent a tweet expressing his solidarity with Relatives of the victims. “We are sorry for events It happened in The prison in said Duque Tolua, Valle del Cauca. “I have been instructed to clarify this terrible situation. My solidarity with families of victims.”
President-elect Gustavo Petro also He expressed his sympathy and said on Twitter that there must be “a complete rethinking of prison policy”that take into account”prisoner dignity.”
“The Colombian state has seen prison K space for revenge Nor for Rehabilitation,” added petro, who won The run-off election earlier this month will replace Doki on August 7.
he is also made A reference to the riots in La Modelo prison in Bogota in 2002 that left 23 guests dead. deadly prison Rioting is not uncommon in Latin america. In Ecuador, neighboring Colombia, nearly 400 prisoners were killed in six Riots since early 2021.
Colombia prison system he has the ability of 97,000 guests but packed with about 16,000, according to INPEC. take over prison Overcrowded at 17%.