Fire kills six in crowded Paraguayan prison

One guard and five prisoners were killed while 12 others were injured in a fire on Friday at Tacumbu Prison in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion, authorities said.

"We have carried out a complete search," said Pablo Lemir, forensic examiner of the Public Prosecutor's Office, while ruling out the presence of more victims from the fire which started in the early hours Friday.

The dead guard has been identified as Blas Gaona. He died while trying to rescue the inmates, reported local media.

"We highlight Blas Gaona's courage. He gave his life to serving the institution, the most vulnerable and his country," said Raul Caballero, vice minister for criminal policy.

The prisoners' burnt bodies were found later by firefighters, reports said.

Three inmates were hospitalized after the blaze and another nine were injured but were not admitted to hospital, authorities said.

The cause of the fire, which damaged part of the roof of the prison, is still unknown.

Caballero acknowledged that the prison system is currently in "intensive care," adding that the tragedy could have been worse considering some 130 prisoners were in the affected area during the fire.

"It's important to mention that all the protocols in terms of security were met," he said.

Family members of the inmates gathered outside the prison waiting to be informed about the situation.

Tacumbu Prison has a capacity for 1,000 inmates, but is jammed with around 3,000, and is regarded as one of the most populated prisons in Paraguay. Endi