A conflict in the National Female Penitentiary of Social Adaptation in Honduras led to the death of 41 women on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Forensic Medicine Department of the Honduran Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The spokesperson of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Yuri Mora, revealed that 25 individuals were burned to death, while 16 were fatally shot inside the penitentiary located in the central department of Francisco Morazán.
The potential for additional casualties is yet to be ruled out.
The conflict reportedly ensued following the announcement of new regulations within the prison, which included confiscating televisions and other appliances, as per Delma Ordóñez, the representative of the inmates’ families.
Surviving and injured inmates were transferred to the Hospital Escuela in the capital, Tegucigalpa.
Disturbing images depicting the incident’s aftermath, featuring burned and wounded inmates in different areas of the prison, are circulating on social networks.
Julissa Villanueva, the Vice Minister of Security, strongly condemned the incident on Twitter, stating, “We will not tolerate acts of vandalism, nor irregularities in this prison.
Immediate intervention is authorized with the accompaniment of firefighters, National Police, and military, and an emergency is declared.”
Official figures and a list of deceased inmates are expected to be released by authorities in the coming hours.