23 dead in Colombian prison riot prompted by virus fears

A prison riots in Colombia prompted by coronavirus fears has left at least 23 inmates dead and 83 injured, the country’s Ministry of Justice said.

There was a “massive and criminal escape attempt” at the Bogota’s La Modelo prison, one of the country’s largest and most overpopulated prisons, Justice Minister Margarita

Cabello said in a video address. That incident resulted in the deaths and injuries. Cabello said there also were “revolts at different penitentiary centres in the country.”

Cabello said as of Sunday, no inmates or prison personnel have tested positive for coronavirus nor has anyone been isolated because of it.