After riots in two prisons in Ahvaz city in Iran, reports indicate that several prisoners were shot and killed by the prison guards and several others were caught on fire, suffering severe burns, and some died.

While the human rights organizations and civil rights activists have expressed concerns over the conditions of the prisoners and the number of dead prisoners, the Islamic Republic officials are yet to comment on the issue.

The number of dead prisoners varies from three to 18 in different reports.

After these reports, families of some prisoners gathered in front of Sepidar prison demanding a report by the officials about the health of their loved ones in prison.

The riots in Sepidar prison of Ahvaz started on Monday after reports of coronavirus outbreak in prison.

Videos sent from near the prison show smoke and sound of bullets and screams. Meanwhile, the chief of police of Khuzestan province announced that the police forces are now in control of the prison.

So far there have been reports of riots in several prisons across Iran including in Khorram Abad and Aligudarz in Lorestan province, Alvand in Hamedan, Markazi in Tabriz, Saqiz in Kurdistan, and Adel Abad in Shiraz. Some prisoners were shot and killed, and dozens have escaped the prisons and killed the prison officials.