Ten prisoners escape

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Ten prisoners took a warden hostage and escaped from the Tanjung Gusta prison Sunday evening, Antara reported yesterday.

Spokesman of the provincial justice office Rahman Narso said the inmates escaped by climbing the watch tower and jumping over the five-meter prison wall.

Narso said the number of escapees was actually 11, but one was recaptured. He added that the police were pursuing the inmates, who were convicted mostly for murder and robbery.

It was not the first time prisoners had escaped from Tanjung Gusta prison. In April last year, 11 inmates escaped. Before that, in March, six people died when a riot broke out among prisoners. (swe)