The fire started from building number one of a two-story edifice, prompting prison guards to open fire on fleeing inmates. At least 1,500 prisoners are housed in building No.1.
"When the cyclone hit Rangoon, the fire started from where some prisoners were warming themselves. When the wind blew, fire spread to the building itself and prisoners started running helter skelter. But instead of fighting the fire, prison guards started shooting the prisoners who were running helter skelter," said Ko Tait Naing of the Thailand-based Assistant Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
Although there were rumors of an Insein prison fire after the cyclone hit Rangoon on Saturday, the news was unable to be confirmed until today through some relatives of prisoners since allowed to visit the prison.
"More prisoners were killed due to the shooting of the prison guards than due to the fire. It is the duty of the government to fight the fire. But instead, they shot the prisoners," added Ko Tait Naing.
Residents living near Insein prison confirmed they saw smoke coming from the prison followed by the sound of gunfire last Saturday. One resident told Mizzima that he does not think any prisoners escaped from the high-security prison.
Relatives of political prisoners associated with the National League for Democracy, Burma's main opposition political party, are worried about their relatives inside the prison and making desperate attempts to enquire about their situation.
However, the AAPP has confirmed with Mizzima that there were no political prisoners among the casualties.
