Abbay Media News
Yassin Ibrahim
On Tuesday December 5, 2017, fire broke out inside the prison in the historical town of Harar setting ablaze the living quarters of the prison mates. The fire and the immediate panic became the cause of clash between prisoners running for safety and prison guards preventing the escape from the compound.
Reports indicate prisoners have sustained burn and injuries and at least 40 prisoners have been sent to Hospital. Prisoners suffering from serious burns were arriving at Hiwot Fana and Jegol hospitals. Fire trucks were also on the scene to control the fire.
The clash between prisoners and armed prison guards started when the guards denied the prisoner’s’ request to leave the compound before the fire spreads.
Soldiers from the Defense Forces who were called for Support used excessive force to block prisoners from getting out of the burning prison quarters. Preliminary reports suggest there is at least one dead among the prisoner as a result of the clash.
