Fire has engulfed a prison in the Chilean capital, killing 83 prisoners and seriously injuring at least 14 others. The government says it is the the worst-ever accident in the country's jail system.

 

National prison police director Luis Masferrer says the blaze broke out at around 5:30 am local time at the San Miguel prison south of the capital Santiago.

It was brought under control three hours later. Chile's health minister called the incident an "enormous calamity". Hundreds of anxious relatives of the inmates gathered outside the prison gates.

Some say prison police initially closed the gates to firefighters, impeding efforts by the units to control the blaze. President Pinera says the country's prison system needs overhauling.

Sebastian Pinera, Chile President, said, "Once we have faced this emergency, buried the dead and helped the injured, we have to understand that the situation in our penitentiaries can't continue any longer."