Official: Prison Fire In Honduras Leaves 272 Dead

Published February 15, 2012 12:00PM (EST)

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — A forensic official in Honduras says a fire that swept through a prison has killed at least 272 inmates.

Lucy Marder, chief of forensic medicine for the prosecutors' office, gave the death count to reporters in a radio news conference early Wednesday.

The head of the national prison system, Danilo Orellana, said the fire broke out Tuesday night at a prison in the town of Comayagua, 90 miles (140 kilometers) north of the Central American country's capital, Tegucigalpa.

Comayagua fire department spokesman Josue Garcia said he saw "hellish" scenes while trying to put out the fire, with many prisoners "burned to death or suffocated in their cells."

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Authorities say fire has swept through a prison in Honduras, killing at least 100 inmates and leaving some 80 with serious burns.

Comayagua fire department spokesman Josue Garcia said he saw "hellish" scenes while trying to put out the fire. He said "some 100 prisoners were burned to death or suffocated in their cells."

Garcia said many prisoners were trapped because the guard who had the key to their cells could not be located.

The facility, which held at least 800 inmates, is located 140 kilometers (90 miles) north of the Central American country's capital, Tegucigalpa.


By Salon Staff

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