Locals told BBC Burmese two parcel bombs went off at the entrance to the jail on Wednesday morning, killing three prison staff and five visitors.

Insein prison is one of the largest in the country.

Around 10,000 prisoners are currently present in it.

Many political prisoners are also currently housed in the prison.

Officials confirmed to BBC that 18 people were hurt in the incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the explosions so far.

The authorities said the bombs had gone off in the prison's post room. Another bomb - which did not detonate - was later found there wrapped in a plastic bag, reports BBC.

All five of the visitors who were killed were women and relatives of prisoners, the authorities confirmed to the British media.