68 killed in riot, fire at Venezuela police station

A prison riot erupted and a fire broke out at a Venezuelan police station in the central city of Valencia, killing at least 68 people, Venezuelan chief prosecutor said Wednesday.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab confirmed that according to preliminary inquiries, the dead were 66 men and two women who were visiting the prison overnight.

An investigation would be launched immediately to clarify what had happened, he said, adding that four prosecutors had been assigned to the case.

"The prosecutor's office vows to investigate to immediately clarify what happened in these painful events that have left dozens of Venezuelan families in mourning," said the attorney general on Twitter.

Rafael Lacava, governor of Carabobo state, whose capital is the Valencia city, also said "a serious and profound investigation has been launched" to find the causes and those responsible for the tragedy.