Officials have indicated that 51 inmates were killed and dozens injured in a fire that broke out at the South Western Colombia prison earlier today.

Justice Minister Wilson Ruiz added that two prison guards also sustained minor injuries in the melee and are currently being treated in hospital.

Director of the National prison system Tito Castellanos indicated that the fire broke out during what appeared to be an attempted riot. Castellanos also noted that the inmates had set mattresses on fire without considering the consequences.

“There was a situation, apparently a riot, and the prisoners lit some mattresses and a conflagration occurred that unfortunately triggered the death of 49 prisoners,” Castellanos noted.

Meanwhile, Colombian President Ivan Duque outlined in a tweet that investigations surrounding the incident are ongoing.

“We regret the events in the prison in Tuluá, Valle del Cauca. I am in touch with Castellanos, and I have given instructions to carry forward investigations that allow us to clarify this terrible situation,” President Duque tweeted.