According to the National Penitentiary Institute, six women were killed and two others were injured by suspected gang members at a women’s prison close to the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa. The institute made this announcement on Sunday.
The attackers forced their way through gates and the roof of a building at the women’s prison in Tamara. Upon entering the prison, they proceeded to the gymnasium where six prisoners were located and carried out the murders, as stated by the INP.
Prior to this, one prisoner had caused a distraction by setting a fire in a dormitory where two inmates, who were quarantined due to the coronavirus pandemic, were sleeping. This incident occurred in a building that houses 1,300 prisoners.
Although firefighters managed to extinguish the fire, two women were injured in the process.
The INP stated that security forces have “reestablished order and control” and have initiated an investigation into the incident.
Some inmates have shared audio recordings on social media in which they blame gang members for the attack.
One woman mentioned, “The gang members entered the nursery, they don’t even respect children because they say they’re MS-13.” This statement referred to the Mara Salvatrucha criminal gang, which is active in North and Central America.
Another woman added, “When they want to, they come and throw stones at us and tell us they’re going to kill us, that they’re going to set fire to us. We’re tired and the director does nothing.”
According to Gulf News, Delma Ordonez, the president of the Prisoners’ Association, has lodged a complaint with authorities, stating that the coronavirus quarantine has caused psychological issues among inmates.