Lagatar24 Desk
Bogota, June 28: A jail escape attempt in southwest Colombia early on Tuesday resulted in at least 49 deaths of prisoners and numerous injuries, a national prisons agency official told AFP.
“So far there are 49 dead,” said a spokesperson for the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute, adding that the count from the city of Tulua was preliminary and “may change.”
Authorities told Caracol Radio that the tragedy happened following a failed effort at escape and then there was a fire. More than 40 people have reportedly suffered injuries, according to the report.
In a tweet, outgoing president Ivan Duque expressed his support for the victims’ families. He did not give a death toll.
“We regret the events that occurred in the prison in Tulua, Valle del Cauca. I have given instructions to clarify this terrible situation. My solidarity is with the families of the victims,” Duque said.
