Moscow [Russia], August 24: RT reported on August 23 that prisoners took hostages at a prison in Russia's Volgograd region in an incident that left many people dead and injured.
Information from the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) said the incident occurred during a visit by the disciplinary committee to a prison in southern Russia.
Governor Andrey Bocharov confirmed that four prison staff had been hospitalized as a result of the attack. Regional health authorities were prepared to respond to possible casualties, including airlifting victims if necessary, he said.
Authorities said a hostage rescue operation was underway. Media reports said three or four inmates were holding hostages, but the number of victims was not immediately clear.
The prison, located near the town of Surovikino about 850 km from Moscow, specializes in holding male prisoners and has the capacity to hold more than 1,200 people.
Unconfirmed media reports said one of the kidnappers had previously been convicted of terrorism-related charges. The prisoner and his group had pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).
Media reports said up to three people may have been killed, according to footage purportedly taken inside the prison. The footage showed a man in a prison uniform holding a knife and lifeless bodies in prison guard uniforms lying on the floor covered in blood.
A prison officer is being treated after being seriously injured in the incident. The kidnappers demanded a $2 million ransom and a helicopter to escape in exchange for the hostages' lives.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed about the incident.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
