Audio By Carbonatix
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
-
The dichotomy of living with mental and chronic illnesses
6 minutes -
Mahama charges envoys to articulate a Ghanaian voice that speaks with clarity
34 minutes -
Nogokpo community rekindles spirit of communal labour
40 minutes -
Local Gov’t Ministry hands over cleaning tools to MMDAs in Accra
45 minutes -
Mahama installed as patron of the West African College of Surgeons
51 minutes -
2027 Elections: We need leader who can die for Nigeria – Omotola
1 hour -
How my children faced death threats during EndSARS – Omotola Jalade
1 hour -
Egypt plans $1bn Red Sea marina, hotel development
1 hour -
Appreciation of cedi gave business community some gains – GUTA president
2 hours -
Pass it on – GUTA boss demands traders share cedi gains with consumers
2 hours -
Prices have come down across board – GUTA president pushes back at public doubts
2 hours -
Trump threatens to block opening of US-Canada bridge
3 hours -
It’s deliberate – GUTA president blasts traders who won’t cut prices
3 hours -
Don’t be greedy in a competitive market – GUTA president warns traders
4 hours -
Mali creates state-owned company to manage mining holdings
4 hours
