5 killed and 30 injured in Venezuela prison explosion

CARACAS, Venezuela – An explosion on a Venezuela prison yard has killed five inmates and left 30 are wounded.

The public prosecutor’s office says it appears that somebody threw two explosive devices Wednesday night at the Alayon detention centre in the town of Maracay, two hours west of Caracas.

Local media reported that explosives were detonated during a clash among inmates.

Federal officials are launching an investigation.

Venezuelan prisons are notoriously overcrowded and lawless. Many are run by prison gangs that have access to powerful weapons behind bars.

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