Death Toll in Honduran Prison Fire Rises to 359
A doctor in Honduras says another victim of the worst prison fire in a century has died, bringing the death toll to 359.
Dr. Juan Carlos Funez says 30-year-old Wilson Garcia has died of kidney failure as a result of burns over 70 percent of his body.
The announcement Sunday brings to six the number of prisoners who have died since being taken to Hospital Escuela in Honduras’ capital of Tegucigalpa.
The fire broke out late Tuesday in Comayagua, about 55 miles (90 kilometers) away.
Witnesses say a guard failed to open cells, leaving hundreds to burn or suffocate to death. There were 852 prisoners at the time, more than double the capacity.
Officials have said the cause was a mattress fire, but are still investigating.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Popular Today
- FM Using AI to Elevate Claims to Deliver More Than Just Cost Savings
- UBS Top Executives to Appear at Senate Hearing on Credit Suisse Nazi Accounts
- Lawsuit Claims Meta Can See WhatsApp Chats in Breach of Privacy
- Charges Dropped Against ‘Poster Boy’ Contractor Accused of Insurance Fraud
Popular This Month