16/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Fatal prison fire. On Wednesday 15 February, the spokesperson for the EU high representative said that Catherine Ashton hoped that the ongoing investigation into the fire that broke out at the Comayagua prison in Honduras on 14 February, which left at least 350 dead and many injured, “will rapidly shed light on the causes of this tragic event and that any shortcomings in the safety of prisons will be promptly addressed”. The authorities have stated that it was caused by a possible short-circuit or a prisoner having set a mattress on fire. More than 900 prisoners were held in this penitentiary, double its capacity. (CG/transl.fl)