2010 Santiago prison fire
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Santiago prison fire was a conflagration
in the San Miguel prison in Santiago
, Chile
, in which 81 inmates were killed, making it the country's deadliest prison incident.
The fire
broke out at 5:30am Chile Daylight Time (8:30am GMT
), on the third floor, reportedly during a fight between rival gangs who set mattresses alight. Local firefighters took around three hours to bring the fire under control.
At least 81 inmates were reported killed, and 14 suffered life-threatening burn
s, according to the Health Minister Jaime Mañalich
. One firefighter
and two prison guards also suffered lesser injuries. According to Chile's Fundacion Paz Ciudadana, the prison's capacity is 892, but was heavily overcrowded with 1,654 inmates.
An investigation is under way into the cause of the blaze. The incident prompted Chile's president
Sebastián Piñera
to call for an end to the overcrowding in the country's prison system
, saying: "We cannot keep living with a prison system which is absolutely inhumane. We are going to speed up the process to ensure our country has a humane, dignified prison system that befits a civilised country."
Conflagration
A conflagration or a blaze is an uncontrolled burning that threatens human life, health, or property. A conflagration can be accidentally begun, naturally caused , or intentionally created . Arson can be accomplished for the purpose of sabotage or diversion, and also can be the consequence of...
in the San Miguel prison in Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, in which 81 inmates were killed, making it the country's deadliest prison incident.
The fire
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
broke out at 5:30am Chile Daylight Time (8:30am GMT
Greenwich Mean Time
Greenwich Mean Time is a term originally referring to mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. It is arguably the same as Coordinated Universal Time and when this is viewed as a time zone the name Greenwich Mean Time is especially used by bodies connected with the United...
), on the third floor, reportedly during a fight between rival gangs who set mattresses alight. Local firefighters took around three hours to bring the fire under control.
At least 81 inmates were reported killed, and 14 suffered life-threatening burn
Burn
A burn is an injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction.Burn may also refer to:*Combustion*Burn , type of watercourses so named in Scotland and north-eastern England...
s, according to the Health Minister Jaime Mañalich
Jaime Mañalich
Jaime José Mañalich Muxi is a Chilean physician , current Health Minister of his country, since March 11, 2010.-References:...
. One firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
and two prison guards also suffered lesser injuries. According to Chile's Fundacion Paz Ciudadana, the prison's capacity is 892, but was heavily overcrowded with 1,654 inmates.
An investigation is under way into the cause of the blaze. The incident prompted Chile's president
President of Chile
The President of the Republic of Chile is both the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Chile. The President is responsible of the government and state administration...
Sebastián Piñera
Sebastián Piñera
Miguel Juan Sebastián Piñera Echenique is a Chilean businessman and politician. He was elected President of Chile in January 2010, taking office in March 2010.- Education :...
to call for an end to the overcrowding in the country's prison system
Prisons in Chile
Prison conditions in Chile are generally poor. Prisons often are overcrowded and antiquated, with substandard sanitary conditions.-Background:...
, saying: "We cannot keep living with a prison system which is absolutely inhumane. We are going to speed up the process to ensure our country has a humane, dignified prison system that befits a civilised country."