00:01At least 23 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in Sri Lanka's deadliest prison riot in over
00:08five years.
00:09The violence erupted overnight at Ngombo prison north of the capital Colombo after clashes between rival drug gangs spiralled out
00:17of control.
00:19Among the dead are four prison guards who were killed while trying to stop the fighting.
00:23Hospital officials say many of the injured suffered gunshot wounds, cuts and severe bruising, while police and military forces were
00:33deployed to secure the prison.
00:35The unrest also spread to a women's wing where inmates climbed onto the roof demanding their release.
00:42Part of the roof later collapsed, injuring several women.
00:46The riot has once again highlighted Sri Lanka's severe prison overcrowding.
00:50Official figures show the country's jails are holding more than 41,000 inmates, around four times their intended capacity.
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