Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
Newsflash
This is the moment inmates set fire to their prison to protect against the lack of precautions against coronavirus.
The riot took place in the Neiva prison in the town of Rivera in the Huila Department in south-eastern Colombia and reportedly saw 400 inmates involved.
The footage shows a prisoner shouting as he holds onto the metal bars while a fire can be seen blazing in the courtyard of the prison.
Newsflash
According to local media, 400 prisoners started the riot to protest against the cut of the water supply and prison workers not taking precautions to stop the spread of coronavirus when they go into the facilities.
The prisoners reportedly started a hunger strike at the same time as burning several mattresses from the prison cells.
Reports state the prisoners also demand the Colombian government enact a decree announced some days ago promising to release some prisoners and they authorise prison visits.
The National Penitentiary and Prison Institute stopped the riot with the help of the police and firefighters, local media reported.
No injuries have been reported.
According to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University, there have been 2,776 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colombia, with 109 deaths.
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