Major fire in Honduras prison kills over 350 inmates. The overcrowded prison was a baked oven for the inmates and most dies a miserable death.
In a drastic fire accident late Tuesday night in Comayagua, Honduras, nearly 350 people were killed. The inmates in the crowded prison were locked in their cells and had no ways to escape the tragedy. The inmates died of suffocation and burns, while rescuers were desperately searching for keys. Officials confirmed 358 dead Wednesday, making it the world's deadliest prison fire in a century. Nearly 856 prisoners were packed in the prison, which was already filled double to its capacity. The prison cell turned a death trap to most inmates.
Officials say the reason for fire is a short circuit. Sources say otherwise, that a frustrated inmate had started fire which engulfed the entire place. But the huge losses are mainly attributed to the keys not within reach. Secondly there was no proper way to get the injured inmates out for treatment. The scale of tragedy is the worst at global levels.
Comayagua Gov. Paola Castro said she called the Red Cross and fire brigade immediately after receiving the call late Tuesday night. But firefighters said they were kept outside for half an hour by guards who fired their guns in the air, thinking they had a riot or a breakout on their hands. (With inputs from internet: AarKay)
