ASTONISHING photos show prisoners in one of the world's most dangerous countries being forced together during a jailhouse lockdown - despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Images from inside Izalco jail in El Salvador show inmates pictured packed tightly together as punishment after the murder rate in the country's prisons spiked this week.

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8 The president of El Salvador has locked down prisons after a spike in murders Credit: AFP or licensors

8 All prisons housing gang members will be locked down Credit: AFP or licensors

8 It comes after 22 people were killed in jails on Friday alone Credit: AFP or licensors

The men were forced together after President Nayib Bukele ordered a 24-hour lockdown of all prisons holding gang members.

Some 22 people were killed in jails on Friday alone as reports of violence soar.

The president has now hit back, ordering all gang leaders into solitary confinement and ordering widescale lockdowns.

'MAXIMUM EMERGENCY'

President Bukele wrote on Twitter that the gang leaders will go into solitary.

The president said the "maximum emergency" lockdown will be enforced while police investigate the surge in murders.

It's the highest total in a single day since President Bukele took office last June.

El Salvador is one of the most dangerous countries in the world, and once had the highest murder rate in the Americas.

More than 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in recent years due to the menace of the nation's street gangs.

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In 2015, the government authorised the police to shoot 'without any fear of suffering consequences' if threatened by gang members.

It followed increasing violence after an earlier truce between gangs Barrio 18 - also known as 18th Street Gang - and MS-13.

But under Bukele's presidency, murders have reportedly fallen significantly.

El Salvador's coronavirus lockdown began on March 22.

Anyone who breaks the laws can be sent to prison.

There have been 298 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country since the pandemic took hold earlier this year, and eight deaths.

8 El Salvador is one of the world's most dangerous countries Credit: AP:Associated Press

8 More than 100,000 people had been forced to leave their homes due to gangs Credit: AP:Associated Press

8 However, since the president was elected in June, the murder rate has reportedly dropped Credit: AP:Associated Press

8 The country has been in lockdown since March Credit: AFP or licensors

8 Eight people have been recorded as having died with Covid-19 Credit: AP:Associated Press

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