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Many inmates were burned or suffocated to death in their cells in Comayagua prison. Some were trapped in their cells and burned beyond recognition. Some inmates rioted in attempts to escape the flames.

"We couldn't get them out because we didn't have the keys and couldn't find the guards who had them," Comayagua fire department spokesman Josue Garcia told Newsday.

Human Rights Watch told the BBC the disaster was a result of overcrowding in Honduran jails. The prison had 856 prisoners in the barracks. It was at double capacity with only 12 guards on duty.

"Given that Honduras has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, authorities have been locking up convicted and suspected criminals, but failing to address the conditions in which they are being held," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.

Authorities are still trying to determine if the fire was started by an inmate or was an electrical fault.

Although the case of the fire is unknown, many do suspect it was arson. Some inmates told the BBC they saw an inmate set his bed on fire.

The fire broke out late Tuesday and took more than an hour to be brought under control.

The exact number of casualties is unknown, but officials confirmed that at least 359 were dead Wednesday, reports Reuters.

Lucy Marder, the head of forensics services in Comayagua told the BBC that 356 people were unaccounted for Wednesday. She said the majority were likely dead, but some may have escaped.

It is also feared that some inmates have fled.

Reach executive producer Hannah Madans here.