At least 27 people have died in clashes between inmates and guards at Sri Lanka's Welikada prison in the capital Colombo.Up to 4,000 inmates are held in the jail.
The violence started when police commandos arrived at the prison to provide security whilst prison officers searched for illegal items.
After some prisoners seized arms a gunfight erupted. Witnesses said guards fired on prisoners who tried to escape.
Most of the casualties were inmates. Dozens were injured. Among 43 others injured were 23 prisoners, 13 police commandos, four soldiers and at least one member of prison staff.
Prison authorities say the situation is now under control, but a government minister said a search for escaped prisoners was under way.
The Nov 9,2012 Friday's violence does not seem to have been ethnic in nature. There are Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim inmates.
The violence started when police commandos arrived at the prison to provide security whilst prison officers searched for illegal items.
After some prisoners seized arms a gunfight erupted. Witnesses said guards fired on prisoners who tried to escape.
Most of the casualties were inmates. Dozens were injured. Among 43 others injured were 23 prisoners, 13 police commandos, four soldiers and at least one member of prison staff.
Prison authorities say the situation is now under control, but a government minister said a search for escaped prisoners was under way.
The Nov 9,2012 Friday's violence does not seem to have been ethnic in nature. There are Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim inmates.
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