Today: 26 August 2025
9 December 2021
1 min read

At least 38 inmates died in prison fire in central Burundi

At least 38 inmates died and 69 others were injured in a fire that happened in Gitega prison, in Gitega province, central Burundi, Burundian Vice President Prosper Bazombanza said at a press conference after a visit to the prison…reports Asian Lite News

“Out of over 1,500 inmates living in Gitega central prison, we deplore the death of 38 prisoners including 12 who were asphyxiated and 26 others who died of deep burns. During the incident which happened at dawn on Tuesday, 69 inmates were injured, 34 of them seriously,” Bazombanza said.

According to him, 35 other inmates were slightly injured and received treatment inside the prison, Xinhua news agency reported.

At least 38 inmates died in prison fire in central Burundi

“Medics at Gitega regional hospital where the 34 inmates have been admitted have ascertained that they will get better soon,” said Bazombanza.

“The origin of the fire is chaotic installations, by inmates, of electric wires inside the prison,” he said.

He took the opportunity to warn Burundian people living in communities like schools, military, or police barracks to avoid making such chaotic installations.

He pledged that the hospital bill for those injured patients will be fully paid by the government.

Bazombanza urged the solidarity ministry to provide food items, shelters like tents and mattresses to the prison to allow inmates to “live in acceptable conditions”.

He also appealed to the infrastructure ministry to identify the needs for the rehabilitation of that prison, currently hosting over 1,500 inmates, but whose hosting capacity is only 400.

ALSO READ: Cambodia removes ban from 10 African countries

The prison of Gitega hosts inmates who were accused of the 2015 failed coup plot against the late President Pierre Nkurunziza who suddenly died on June 8, 2020.

In August 2021, the prison of Gitega caught fire, but the fire was quickly brought under control before causing damages.

Previous Story

Pakistan to skip Biden’s democracy summit

Next Story

On Indian food aid to Af, UN says humanitarian help should arrive ‘swiftly’

Latest from Africa News

Ban Coal Exports to Israel

More than 100 pro-Palestine activists launched protests on Thursday in three major South African cities, calling on the government to ban coal exports to Israel…reports Asian Lite News Pro-Palestine activists are pictured

UAHR slams ‘baseless’ Port Sudan allegations

The Union Association for Human Rights (UAHR) has strongly condemned recent accusations by the so-called “Port Sudan Authority” against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), calling them “baseless” and a deliberate attempt to

Aboulela awarded PEN Pinter prize

Born to an Egyptian mother and Sudanese father, Aboulela grew up in a Khartoum where British colonial echoes mingled with the call to prayer Sudanese-British novelist Leila Aboulela has been named winner

Kenyans put president on notice

Kenya’s fifth president became a remarkably unpopular leader barely two years into his presidency after proposing aggressive tax measures that many saw as a betrayal of his campaign promise to support working-class
Go toTop

Don't Miss

MBR Space Centre, Volga-Dnepr Group ink deal

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has signed a

Kuwait PM Kuwait’s armed forces prepared for any emergency

Kuwait’s armed forces remain prepared for any emergency, Kuwaiti Prime