Fiery Riot at Prison Leaves 27 Dead, 48 Hurt
A riot in an overcrowded Dominican prison left at least 27 inmates dead and 48 others injured, 12 critically, authorities said.
The riot erupted in the state prison in La Vega, 60 miles northwest of the capital, Santo Domingo, after officials announced a surprise sweep for weapons.
Inmates stuffed mattresses and bedsheets through the locked prison bars and set them ablaze. Prison officials tried to open the cellblocks but were hindered by the flames, Atty. Gen. Virgirio Bello Rosa said. Most of the deaths were from smoke inhalation.
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