The Vice President of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza, has revealed that no fewer than 38 inmates died in a fire outbreak at the main prison in the capital, Gitega, on Tuesday.
According to Bazombanza, 12 died of asphyxia as they tried to flee the burning buildings and 26 died of severe injuries.
The fire that broke out at about 4am on Tuesday also injured 69 others and destroyed parts of the building.
The VP did not say what might have caused the blaze but local media reports said many of those who died were elderly prisoners; their remains were taken by ambulance from the scene.
The facility housed more than 1,500 inmates at the end of November, according to prison authority figures, far higher than its capacity of 400.
A fire broke out in August at the same prison that authorities said was caused by an electrical problem. There were no casualties.