Twenty-five people were killed and about 100 injured in clashes between two groups of prisoners at a prison in Sri Lanka on Monday, according to two police sources and one hospital source who spoke to Reuters.
Clashes at Negombo Prison
The violence erupted at the prison in Negombo, a coastal town located about 35 kilometers north of the capital Colombo. Security personnel were deployed to the scene to regain control. The sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed the casualty figures.
According to a hospital source, the injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The exact cause of the clashes remains under investigation, but initial reports suggest tensions between rival inmate groups escalated into a full-blown confrontation.
Authorities Respond
Police and prison officials have launched an inquiry into the incident. Security has been tightened at the facility to prevent further violence. The prison, one of the largest in Sri Lanka, houses a significant number of inmates, including high-risk offenders.
The incident marks one of the deadliest prison riots in Sri Lanka's recent history. In 2020, a similar clash at another prison left several inmates dead. The government has faced criticism over overcrowding and inadequate security measures in the country's prison system.
Further details are expected as investigations continue.
