Friday, July 11, 2025
spot_img

Virus fears spark Thai prison riot

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

Bangkok: Dozens of prisoners broke furniture and smashed windows during a riot in a Thai jail on Sunday sparked by fears of a coronavirus outbreak in the facility.
During the violence some convicts escaped from the Buriram prison where 2,000 are held, the justice ministry said. Seven have been arrested.
Local media showed footage of black smoke billowing from the facility in the country’s northeast.
“There was a group of prisoners trying to escape and were creating chaos… which included burning down some facilities inside,” said Narat Sawetana, director general of the Corrections Department.
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin confirmed that a group of inmates sentenced to life had started “agitating” other prisoners with rumours of a virus outbreak.
“The fact is that none of the prisoners in Buriram were infected — they only started this rumour to find some supporters,” the minister said, adding that the cafeteria and visiting areas were among the facilities torched.
Mental health workers were deployed to assuage prisoners after rumours were spread about COVID-19 outbreak, Maj Gen Akkaradej Pimonsri said. “The situation is under control,” he added. (AFP)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Assam Governor assesses Karbi Anglong law and order situation

GUWAHATI, July 11: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Friday chaired a review meeting with security agencies at Taralangso...

Sitharaman holds discussion with Meghalaya Governor on state’s issues

  Shillong, July 11: The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, paid a visit to Raj...

92 Meghalaya border villages under Vibrant Village Programme

Shillong, July 11: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday announced that 92 border villages in Meghalaya have...

22 Maoists, including eight females, surrender in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, July 11: In a significant development in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, 22 Maoists laid down their arms on...