Perito Moreno: Two inmates die in prison cell fire

Two inmates died following a fire at the Comisaría Primera in Perito Moreno, Santa Cruz. The victims have been identified as Oscar Emiliano Olivera and Javier Nicolás Pereyra.

Preliminary reports indicate that Olivera intentionally set fire to a mattress and clothing in his cell as a protest to demand a transfer to the town of Las Heras. The fire spread quickly through the detention area. While authorities managed to evacuate three other inmates, Olivera and Pereyra were unable to escape the flames.

A total of ten people required medical attention at the local hospital: the three evacuated inmates and seven police officers who responded to the emergency. Among the officers, one sustained minor burns, while the others were treated for carbon monoxide inhalation. Provincial authorities confirmed that no inmates escaped during the incident.