A riot broke out at a prison in Sri Lanka after a clash between inmates from two drug trafficking gangs, leaving 25 people dead and more than 100 injured.

According to reports from AP, AFP, and Reuters on July 7 (local time), the clash between inmates occurred on the evening of July 5 at a prison in the coastal city of Negombo, located 35 km north of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.

Harshana Nanayakkara, Sri Lanka's Minister of Justice and National Integration, stated that the clashes, which continued throughout the night until the following day, resulted in 25 deaths and over 100 injuries.

On the first day of the clash, the evening of July 5, two inmates died and 38 were injured. The following day, a larger confrontation erupted, resulting in 23 additional deaths, including seven prison guards.

An official at a hospital in the Negombo area told Reuters, "Some had gunshot wounds, and there were casualties with stab wounds," adding, "18 critically injured patients were transferred to the National Hospital of Colombo."

Chamika Gajanayake, spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Department of Prisons, explained, "The fight broke out while meals were being distributed to the inmates." He added, "The inmates also clashed with prison guards who intervened to stop the fighting, then rushed toward the main gate in an attempt to escape, but were stopped."

AFP and AP initially reported that the clash involved inmates belonging to two drug trafficking organizations.

Minister Nanayakkara explained that the initial conflict occurred between two rival gangs involved in illegal drug trafficking, and that the ringleaders were transferred to two other prisons.

As the riot escalated, Sri Lankan Air Force helicopters and drones were deployed near the prison, and special forces soldiers were stationed around the facility in armored vehicles.

"We are aware that some weapons fell into the hands of the inmates, but we have not yet determined the exact quantity," Minister Nanayakkara said. "We currently have the entire prison under control."

He emphasized, "Whether they are inmates or figures linked to the underworld, it does not matter to us at this moment," adding, "Such an incident must never happen again."

Following news of the prison riot, female inmates climbed onto the roof to demand their release.

Sri Lankan police stated that during this process, a part of the roof collapsed, causing injuries to the female inmates.

The Sri Lankan government announced that it would form an investigation team led by a former Supreme Court judge to probe the prison riot.

In November 2020, a prison riot in Sri Lanka resulted in 11 deaths and 117 injuries, and a similar incident in 2012 left 27 people dead.

Prisons across Sri Lanka currently hold 41,250 inmates, which is four times their intended capacity, leading to severe overcrowding.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)