Death toll in Honduran prison fire rises to 359

Wilson Garcia, 30, has died of kidney failure as a result of burns over 70 percent of his body.

Tegucigalpa: A doctor in Honduras says another victim of the worst prison fire in a century has died, bringing the death toll to 359.

Dr Juan Carlos Funez says 30-year-old Wilson Garcia has died of kidney failure as a result of burns over 70 percent of his body.

The announcement on Sunday brings to six the number of prisoners who have died since being taken to Hospital Escuela in Honduras` capital of Tegucigalpa.

The fire broke out late Tuesday in Comayagua, about 55 miles (90 kilometres) away.

Witnesses say a guard failed to open cells, leaving hundreds to burn or suffocate to death. There were 852 prisoners at the time, more than double the capacity.

Officials have said the cause was a mattress fire, but are still investigating.

Bureau Report