Loading ...
A fire swept through a jail in Honduras, killing at least 272 people, a forensic services official said on Wednesday.
The prison, which houses 800 inmates, was in the town of Comayagua, about 75 kilometres north of the capital Tegucigalpa.
"This is a preliminary report, there could be a lot more deaths," said Lucy Marder, head of forensic services in Comayagua.
Local firemen said they were prevented from entering the prison due to gunshots. Local media reported prisoners were trapped in their cells.
Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world, according to the United Nations, and struggles with youth street gangs in overcrowded jails.