A massive prison riot in Honduras leaves 41 inmates dead in a women-only prison. The riot, which broke out on Tuesday, has rocked the Central American nation, as both victims and officials scramble to make sense of the tragedy.Grizzly details reveal that most inmates were burned aliveThe riot took place in Centro Femenino de Adaptacion Social, a womens prison in Tamara, near the capital Tegucigalpa, and has led to inmates being burned and shot to death. 41 casualties have been confirmed, according to Yuri Mora, spokesman for the public prosecutors office, who warned that the death toll might rise further. Out of the confirmed 41 victims, 26 had been burned to death, and the rest had been shot. Seven inmates were being treated in a hospital for gunshot and stabbing wounds.Police stand guard outside the prison in Tamara, Honduras. Credits: APHonduras President condemns “monstrous murder” and promises “drastic measures”Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, the President of Honduras, tweeted in Spanish: “Shocked by the monstrous murder of women in CEFAS, planned by gangs in full view and patience of security authorities. My solidarity with families. I have summoned the Minister of Security and the president of the Intervention Commission to render accounts. I will take drastic measures!”She blamed the violence on “maras”, a type of violent gangs found in the USA and Central America.Conmocionada monstruoso asesinato de mujeres en CEFAS, planificado por maras a vista y paciencia de autoridades de seguridad. Mi solidaridad con familiares. Convoco a rendir cuentas al Ministro de Seguridad y la presidenta de la Comisión Interventora. ¡Tomaré medidas drásticas !— Xiomara Castro de Zelaya (@XiomaraCastroZ) June 20, 2023The Presidents word were echoed by Julissa Villanueva, head of the Honduran prison system, who claimed that the government will not back down from the crack down on organised crime inside prisons and on the streets.According to Delma Ordonez, the president of a inmate family association, the violence is believed to be the result of an inter-gang clash between Barrio 18 and MS-13.
