At least 25 people, including inmates and prison security personnel, have been killed as clashes between prisoners continued for a second day at a prison in Sri Lanka.
The violence reportedly began on Sunday between convicted prisoners and detainees at the prison in the coastal town of Negombo, about 35 kilometres (20 miles) north of the commercial capital, Colombo.
Although the cause of the clashes remains unknown, sources said the violence claimed the lives of five prison officials and 20 inmates.
Police confirmed on Monday that the government had deployed soldiers to help contain the situation, while investigations were underway to determine how the clashes spiralled out of control.
The police source added that officials were still clearing affected sections of the prison and working to account for the dead and injured.
“Military has been requested to provide support to the police, but at the moment they are on standby,” Army spokesman Brigadier Waruna Gamage told newsmen.
With security reinforced, prison authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the clashes at the facility, which currently houses 2,417 inmates.