SANTIAGO — 2010 · Major Tragedy

The San Miguel Prison Fire

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On the morning of 8 December 2010 a fire broke out on the fourth floor of the prison in Santiago's San Miguel district during a fight between groups of inmates. The fire spread rapidly through the severely overcrowded wing and 81 inmates died. Chile's deadliest prison disaster, it sparked a broad debate about overcrowding and prison conditions in the country. The government pledged to reform the prison system.

Date: 2010
Place: San Miguel, Santiago, Chile, Santiago, CL
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: -33.4900, -70.6500 ↗

Timeline of Events

8 December 2010Fire broke out on the fourth floor of San Miguel prison; 81 inmates died.
December 2010The government pledged reforms to prison conditions.
2012Prison conditions returned to the international press after the fire.

Sources

BBC News — Chile prison fire kills 81 bbc.co.uk ↗
New Internationalist — Chilean prison disgrace newint.org ↗
Wikipedia — 2010 Santiago prison fire en.wikipedia.org ↗
BBC News
New Internationalist
Wikipedia

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