News of: Friday, October 28 2005,

11 dead in fire in Amsterdam airport prison

Yesterday 11 people died in a fire that broke out in a prison complex on Schiphol Airport. Fifteen were wounded.

The prison is mainly meant for illegal immigrants, people who are denied access to the country and people who were caught with drugs.

Apparently, the prison cells could not be unlocked simultaneously, so guards had to open all cells manually. One prisoner said that the prisoners had already called for help, but that the guards did not believe them at first.
Allegations that the prison complex does not comply with safety regulations are being investigated.

About 150 detainees were placed in other prisons in the country. Five prisoners have escaped.