Many prisoners are feared dead after a fire broke out in the main prison in Burundi's capital, Gitega, on Tuesday.
Images shared online show bodies of people thought to be prisoners.
Authorities in Burundi haven’t yet released any details about the incident.
A journalist from a private media house located near the prison says firefighters entered the prison, but a big part of the facility had already been burnt.
“Many nurses from Gitega hospital were mobilised and we saw them entering the prison to help,” he told BBC Great Lakes.
A prisoner who survived the fire told the BBC that the fire broke at around 04:00 local time while many inmates were still asleep.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
In late August, an electrical fault caused a fire in a section of the prison, but no casualties were recorded.
Latest Stories
-
WAFU B U-17 Girls’ Cup: Black Maidens beat Nigeria on penalties to win inaugral tournament
28 minutes -
Real Madrid beat Sevilla to keep pressure on leaders Atletico
2 hours -
Liverpool put six past Spurs to go four points clear
2 hours -
Manchester United lose 3-0 at home to Bournemouth yet again
2 hours -
CHAN 2024Q: ‘It’s still an open game’ – Didi on Ghana’s draw with Nigeria
2 hours -
CHAN 2024Q: Ghana’s Black Galaxies held by Nigeria in first-leg tie
3 hours -
Dr Nduom hopeful defunct GN bank will be restored under Mahama administration
3 hours -
Bridget Bonnie celebrates NDC Victory, champions hope for women and youth
3 hours -
Shamima Muslim urges youth to lead Ghana’s renewal at 18Plus4NDC anniversary
4 hours -
Akufo-Addo condemns post-election violence, blames NDC
5 hours -
DAMC, Free Food Company, to distribute 10,000 packs of food to street kids
6 hours -
Kwame Boafo Akuffo: Court ruling on re-collation flawed
6 hours -
Samuel Yaw Adusei: The strategist behind NDC’s electoral security in Ashanti region
6 hours -
I’m confident posterity will judge my performance well – Akufo-Addo
6 hours -
Syria’s minorities seek security as country charts new future
7 hours