Panic in Honduras as mass prison escape attempt leaves two dead

An attempted prison break in Honduras early Thursday has resulted in the deaths of two inmates and injuries to three others, authorities have said.

Officials stated that 72 prisoners were involved in the mass escape attempt at a men's prison in Tamara, located about 19 miles (31km) from the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa. Details regarding how the casualties occurred were not provided.

Military police were deployed to handle the situation. Col. Ramiro Muñoz, the force's commander, confirmed that one inmate died at the prison, while the other succumbed to injuries later at a nearby hospital.

Mr Munoz told local media: "Everything is now calm and in order. This isn't going to set us back, there is no other prison in the world where this doesn't happen."

The Central American country has long struggled with gang violence and overcrowded prisons.

Col. Muñoz reported that around 4am, prisoners barricaded themselves in a section of the prison to distract the guards. Military police responded, though further details were not provided.

Muñoz also mentioned that a forensic investigation would be conducted to address any speculation.

In a women's prison in Tamara last year, a riot resulted in the deaths of 46 women.

The incident sparked calls for prison reform and discussions about whether Honduras should adopt the zero-tolerance, no-privileges prison model implemented by President Nayib Bukele in neighboring El Salvador.

In June, Honduras President Xiomara Castro announced plans to build a new 20,000-capacity "megaprison," as part of the government's broader crackdown on gang violence and efforts to reform the country's troubled prison system.

Honduras has some of the highest crime rates in the world, largely driven by gang violence and drug trafficking. Cities like San Pedro Sula have been named among the most violent in the past.

Overcrowded prisons and incidents of riots, such as the deadly women's prison riot in Tamara in 2022, have raised concerns over the country's penal system.

Many Hondurans leave the country in search of better opportunities, often migrating north to the US, due to violence, poverty, and lack of economic prospects.