MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Four inmates killed in Uruguayan prison fire

Similar incidents had been reported at the same detention facility last year

Four inmates were killed Monday in a Montevideo jailhouse riot resulting in a fire, Uruguay's Interior Ministry confirmed. The casualties at the Santiago Vázquez Prison (Formerly known as Comcar) were aged 23, 27, 34, and 47, respectively, the authorities also acknowledged. The crisis started at approximately 1 pm when a fire broke out in a cell in Module 11 of Unit 4 following a confrontation between prisoner groups in nearby cells.

Firefighters and Metropolitan Patrol Response Units (URPM) controlled the flames and prevented them from spreading within the facility, although three guards suffered carbon monoxide inhalation.

With the situation under control, an investigation is underway to determine the fire's cause. Parliamentary Commissioner Juan Miguel Petit was overseeing the proceedings on-site.

Monday's events followed previous fires at the same prison, including one on Dec. 8, 2024, affecting five people in Module 11, and another on Sept. 25, 2024, in Module 4, which killed six inmates in an arson attack.

“The situation is currently under control,” and “the corresponding investigations have been initiated to determine the causes of the fire,” the Interior Ministry said.

“The intervention of the Fire Department personnel was coordinated, as well as URPM control, who moved quickly to the place. The fire was brought under control, and further spread inside the establishment was prevented,” it added.

“At the time of the intervention, four inmates, who were inside the affected cell, were found dead,” it further noted.