Honduras: According to police, the massacre at the women’s prison with 46 deaths was a direct attack

Members of the Pandilla 18 youth gang likely assaulted, imprisoned and set fire to members of rival gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), police spokesman Miguel Martínez said in a televised interview on Wednesday (local time). 23 of the women died in the blaze, the others were killed with firearms and blunt weapons.

Following Tuesday morning’s incident in the town of Támara, 21 firearms, two fragmentation grenades and blunt weapons were seized from the detention center. The National Police announced that it is investigating at least twelve women who have already been identified as suspected perpetrators. The role of security guards and administrative staff is also examined.

Leftist President Xiomara Castro described the act as a “monstrous murder”. The prison is located about 35 kilometers northwest of the capital Tegucigalpa. According to human rights activists, seven pregnant women and 22 children were said to have lived in prison. Her condition is unknown.

After the bloody crime, Minister of Security Ramón Antonio Sabillón Pineda had to resign. The ministry will be headed in the future by Police General Gustavo Sánchez, the presidential office said. Violence has occurred in several prisons in Honduras in recent weeks. Castro’s government recently appointed a special commission to deal with the prison crisis. (sda/dpa)