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Published 15 Jan, 2011 12:25pm

Prison fire amid Tunisian unrest kills 42

Tarek Mghirbi, a coroner in the resort city of Monastir, says 42 bodies were brought to his office. He says all the victims appeared to have either burned to death or to have suffered smoke inhalation. He says the cause of Saturday's prison fire is unclear.

Massive street protests over corruption and unemployment forced President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country Friday night after 23 years of iron-fisted rule. In the last 24 hours, unrest, looting and arson have erupted.

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