Venezuela: Police station fire kills at least 68
Caracas, Mar 29 (IBNS): At least 68 people have been reported dead after a fire swept through a police station in Venezuela's Valencia city in Carabobo province.
The death toll has been confirmed by government officials.
The fire broke out after prisoners allegedly set mattresses ablaze in an attempt to break out of jail on Wednesday.
An investigation has been initiated by officials, chief state prosecutor Tarek Saab told the media.
Una Ventana a la Libertad, a group which monitors prisons, said in its report that a police was shot in the leg by a prisoner, prior to setting the mattress ablaze.
Officials have confirmed that among the deceased two were women.
Some of the deceased were burnt to death, while others died of asphyxiation, officials added.
Meanwhile, as news of the inferno spread, angry protesters clashed with the police outside the police station.
Condoling the incident, Carabobo state governor Rafael Lacava, said, "A serious and profound investigation has been initiated to find the causes and those responsible for these regrettable events."
Prison riots are common in Venezuela, where the government is going though an economic crisis, forcing most prisoners to be jailed in makeshift prisons.
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