9 inmates dead in Peru coronavirus prison riot

Prisoners in Peru std riots over Monday and Tuesday following deaths of several fellow inmates from new coronavirus, but revolt in itself proved fatal, with nine prisoners getting killed, authorities said.

Authorities said Tuesday inmates were shot de during a clash with authorities at Miguel Castro Castro prison in Lima a day earlier.

An investigation was under way into who fired dely shots.

Hundreds of inmates gared around bodies of two of de in a common of prison late Monday afteron.

Peru's overcrowded jails have been hard hit by coronavirus: at least 13 prisoners have died and more than 500 have been infected.

Over 100 workers have also fallen ill.

Governments in region have reported close to 1,400 confirmed COVID-19 cases among inmates and prison staff, though vocates say t eugh testing is taking place.

Peru has nearly 30,000 confirmed cases total of COVID-19, second highest number of infections in region following Brazil.

Health authorities say 782 have died.