Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News 

Video Credit: CEN

Ten convicts have been killed during a violent gang riot in a Venezuelan prison that reportedly involved grenades, gunshots and a pavilion being burned to the ground.

According to the NGO ‘Una Ventana a la Libertad’ (‘A Window to Freedom’), which defends prisoners’ rights, a gang war broke out in the Cabimas prison located in the western Venezuelan state of Zulia which resulted in the deaths of “at least 10 prisoners”.

The NGO also reportedly claimed that four hand grenades were detonated inside the prison walls during the riot.

Local media said that a prison pavilion was burned to the ground although it is not yet known whether the victims died in the blaze or through other causes.

Local residents said that explosions were first heard in the afternoon followed by gunshots.

Video Credit: CEN

One video filmed inside the prison facilities, where around 1,000 inmates are locked up, was reportedly recorded by a convict on his phone.

According to the local newspaper ‘El Pitazo’, four victims were taken to a nearby hospital with knife wounds, slashed throats and burned legs.

The local authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of fatalities and their cause of death. It is unclear if the prison authorities or the inmates were responsible for the grenades reportedly being used.

Video Credit: CEN

According to the NGO, another riot took place in the same prison on 23rd December which resulted in the death of six inmates.

They also said that the country’s prisons are currently overpopulated by as much as 500 percent and that many inmates are dying of malnutrition, disease and violence.

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