Magazine Prison clash leaves four inmates injured as severe overcrowding places more than 3,100 prisoners inside a facility built for 600.
A Magazine Prison clash in Borella, Colombo, left four inmates injured and hospitalized after violence broke out this afternoon, today (10).
According to prison sources, the incident began as a dispute between two inmates. The situation later escalated when two additional inmates intervened.
Authorities have not yet revealed what caused the original dispute.
Prison officers immediately transferred all four injured inmates to the Welikada Prison Hospital for treatment.
Three inmates later recovered and returned to Magazine Prison. However, one inmate remains at the hospital and continues to receive inpatient treatment.
The incident has renewed attention on severe overcrowding inside the facility.
Magazine Prison has a maximum capacity of 600 inmates. However, it currently holds approximately 3,100 prisoners, which is more than five times its intended capacity.
