Death toll heads up to 68 as blazing fire sweeps in Venezulean police station

Carabobo, March 29: In an attempt to break out of the cell, blazing fire was seen oozing out of Venenzula Police Station, tolling the death of 68 people. The blaze reportedly started after prisoners set fire to mattresses in an attempt to break out on Wednesday.

Police used tear gas to disperse relatives who surrounded the station after news of the fire broke. Chief state prosecutor Tarek Saab said an investigation into what had happened would begin immediately.

However a major outbreak was witnesses as angry relatives gathered outside the detention centre and clashed with police as they sought information about loved ones.

What has happened?

The fire was set by the prisoners in an attempt to break the cell and set fire on the mattresses leading to the long blazing effect. The association Una Ventana a la Libertad (A Window on Freedom), which monitors jail conditions, said it showed a police officer had been shot in the leg by a detainee and that shortly afterwards mattresses in cells were set ablaze and the fire quickly spread.

Mr Santander did confirm one police officer had been shot. Rescuers reportedly broke through walls to try to free those trapped by the blaze. Nearly all of those who died were inmates but at least two women who were visiting at the time were also killed.

Some of the victims burned to death, others died of smoke choking.

Attaining to understand the situation of the Venenzula penal system, it is been noted that the facilities are notoriously overcrowded, with violence and deadly riots common. The country has struggled to accommodate its prisoners amid an ongoing economic crisis, leading to the use of temporary facilities such as the one in Valencia. Inmates are supposed to be held for only 48 hours in police holding cells.

The organisation says that 65 people died last year in temporary cells due to violence, disease or malnutrition.

Carabobo state governor Rafael Lacava expressed his condolences, adding: "A serious and profound investigation has been initiated to find the causes and those responsible for these regrettable events."