Report 34 injured after fight in the Lurigancho prison in Lima

(CNN Spanish) — The National Penitentiary Institute of Peru reported in a statement that this Tuesday a fight took place between inmates in pavilion 10 of the Lurigancho prison in Lima.

The authorities added that there are 34 inmates injured but not dead. The INPE reported that 40 agents from the Special Operations and Security Group reduced the brawl, took control of the interior of the prison center and closed all the pavilions. As a result of the search operation, objects such as metal spikes, knives and pointed sticks were seized.

Outside the prison, the police guarded the entrance, according to images released by TV Peru, a CNN affiliate. Relatives of the inmates assured in television statements that the fight began because those deprived of liberty demanded the removal of a delegate, an inmate who allegedly had been charging them money in exchange for food and bed.

However, in the official statement of the National Penitentiary Institute of Peru, it does not refer to this statement. CNN contacted the press area this Wednesday to ask about it and they responded that an investigation process was initiated into the facts and the claims made by the relatives about the alleged improper charges inside pavilion 10 where the incident occurred.

The INPE reiterates that the incident was the cause of a fight between inmates “due to problems of rivalry between inmates” and that those involved were put in charge of the Prosecutor’s Office.

Jimena de la Quintana contributed to this report