Harman Patil (Editor)

2010 Santiago prison fire

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Date
  
8 December 2010

Location
  
Santiago, Chile

Similar
  
Comayagua prison fire, Great Fire of Valparaíso, 2010 Copiapó mining ac, 2010 Chile earthquake

The 2010 Santiago prison fire was a conflagration in the San Miguel prison in Santiago, Chile, in which 81 inmates were killed, making it the country's deadliest prison incident.

The fire broke out at 5:30am Chile Daylight Time (8:30am GMT) on the fourth floor during a fight between rival gangs. A improvised flamethrower was reportedly used, setting mattresses and other flammable material alight. Those killed were trapped behind closed gates.

Local firefighters took around three hours to bring the fire under control.

At least 81 inmates were reported killed, and 14 suffered life-threatening burns, according to the Health Minister Jaime Mañalich. One firefighter and two prison guards also suffered lesser injuries. According to Chile's Fundacion Paz Ciudadana, the prison's capacity is 892, but was heavily overcrowded with 1,654 inmates. An investigation found out there was not a suitable emergency procedure in place.

The incident prompted Chile's president Sebastián Piñera to launch an investigation and he called for an end to the overcrowding in the country's prison system, saying: "We cannot keep living with a prison system which is absolutely inhumane. We are going to speed up the process to ensure our country has a humane, dignified prison system that befits a civilised country."

References

2010 Santiago prison fire Wikipedia