More than 40 people died in clashes at women's prison in Honduras

AFP quoted police spokesman Edgardo Barahona as saying that deadly unrest had rocked the women's prison in the Tamara district, about 25 km north of the capital Tegucigalpa. Mr Barahona put the death toll at 41 and said five injured women had been taken to hospital.

Hundreds of relatives of the detained women gathered outside the prison waiting for information about their loved ones.

Several heavily armed soldiers and police entered and guarded the prison, while fire brigades were also at the scene.

National police officers transport inmates from a women's prison accused of being involved in a fire after a clash between prisoners in the Tamara area, about 25 km from the capital Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on June 20.

According to Delma Ordonez, a representative for the inmates’ relatives, several members of one gang entered a cell belonging to a rival group and set it on fire. Ms Ordonez told the media that that area of ​​the prison was “completely destroyed” by the fire. She added that the prison involved houses about 900 inmates.

Most of the victims died in the fire, according to prosecutors' spokesman Yuri Mora. He added that an investigation is underway to determine which gang carried out the initial attack.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro wrote on Twitter that she was "shocked" by "the brutal murder of women in prison by gangs in full view but with the neglect of security agencies".

A state of emergency has been declared and President Castro said she would hold security chiefs to account for what happened. "I will take drastic measures," Ms Castro said.

Honduras is a major transit country for Colombian cocaine and other narcotics, mainly destined for the United States. Honduras is ravaged by corruption and gangs that have infiltrated even the highest levels of government , according to AFP.

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was extradited to the United States on drug charges in April 2022, just over a year after his younger brother Tony Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison in New York.

Along with neighbors El Salvador and Guatemala, Honduras forms the so-called "triangle of death" in Central America, where murderous gangs control drug trafficking and organized crime.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/hon-40-nguoi-chet-trong-dung-do-tai-nha-tu-nu-o-honduras-185230621081606177.htm