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Venezuela fire: 68 dead in Carabobo police station cells Venezuela fire: 68 die in Carabobo police station cells
(about 1 hour later)
Rioting and a fire at a police station in the Venezuelan city of Valencia, in Carabobo State, have left 68 people dead, government officials say. A fire at a police station in the Venezuelan city of Valencia, in Carabobo state, has left 68 people dead, government officials say.
Chief State Prosecutor Tarek Saab said an investigation into what had happened would begin immediately.
The blaze reportedly started after prisoners set fire to mattresses in an attempt to break out on Wednesday.The blaze reportedly started after prisoners set fire to mattresses in an attempt to break out on Wednesday.
Police used tear gas to disperse relatives who surrounded the station after news of the fire broke.Police used tear gas to disperse relatives who surrounded the station after news of the fire broke.
State official Jesus Santander confirmed a police officer had been shot in the aftermath of the blaze, which has been brought under control. Chief state prosecutor Tarek Saab said an investigation into what had happened would begin immediately.
He said the state of Carabobo was in mourning after the incident. State official Jesus Santander said the situation had now been been brought under control. He said the state of Carabobo was in mourning.
A tragedy never far away? What happened at the police station?
By Will Grant, BBC News Latin America Correspondent The circumstances surrounding the fire have not been officially confirmed.
Even by Venezuela's prison standards, where conditions are among the worst in the world, this was a huge fire with devastating consequences. The association Una Ventana a la Libertad (A Window on Freedom), which monitors jail conditions, said its reports showed a police officer had been shot in the leg by a detainee and that shortly afterwards mattresses in cells were set ablaze and the fire quickly spread.
Families, desperate for news, gathered outside the facility in Valencia, only to be repelled by police who fired tear gas on the crowd. Mr Santander did confirm one police officer had been shot.
Inside, scores of inmates had been killed, many from smoke inhalation. Rescuers reportedly broke through walls to try to free those trapped by the blaze.
At this stage, the official version suggests the fire was started deliberately, as a riot took hold. Nearly all of those who died were inmates but at least two women who were visiting at the time were also killed, Mr Saab said.
The government of President Nicolas Maduro has said a full investigation will begin immediately. However, for the loved ones outside, it is a time of grief and anguish. Some of the victims burned to death, others died of smoke asphyxiation.
Very few clear explanations from the authorities have been given and figures as to the number of dead continue to rise. What has the response been?
There have been several serious fires and riots in Venezuelan jails over the past decade. However, human rights NGOs say, given the severe overcrowding and inhumane conditions in the South American nation's prison system, a tragedy of this magnitude was never far away. Angry relatives gathered outside the detention centre and clashed with police as they sought information about loved ones.
Some women and children who were visiting inmates are thought to be among the dead. Aida Parra, who said she had last seen her son the day before, told the Associated Press news agency: "I don't know if my son is dead or alive. They haven't told me anything."
Venezuela's prisons are notoriously overcrowded, with violence and deadly riots are common. Dora Blanco told local media: "I am a desperate mother. My son has been here a week. They have not given any information."
The country has struggled to accommodate its prisoners amidst an ongoing economic crisis, leading to the use of temporary facilities such as the one in Valencia. The government has set up an inquiry.
Carlos Nieto, head of the association Una Ventana a la Libertad (A Window on Freedom), says some police facilities are overfilled at five times their capacity. Carabobo state governor Rafael Lacava expressed his condolences, adding: "A serious and profound investigation has been initiated to find the causes and those responsible for these regrettable events."
What's the state of Venezuela's penal system?
Facilities are notoriously overcrowded, with violence and deadly riots common.
The country has struggled to accommodate its prisoners amid an ongoing economic crisis, leading to the use of temporary facilities such as the one in Valencia.
Inmates are supposed to be held for only 48 hours in police holding cells.
Carlos Nieto, head of Una Ventana a la Libertad, says some police facilities are overfilled at five times their capacity.
The organisation says that 65 people died last year in temporary cells due to violence, disease or malnutrition.
Last month inmates at a different prison in Carabobo took a number of prisoners and guards hostage in another riot.Last month inmates at a different prison in Carabobo took a number of prisoners and guards hostage in another riot.