174 Inmates Escape, Two Die In Haiti Mass Prison Break

MEP: Authorities have launched a massive manhunt in northern Haiti after 174 inmates escaped from a prison on Saturday by killing a guard and stealing firearms.

UN peacekeeping forces are helping the police in their attempt to round up some 174 prisoners who escaped the Arcahaie prison.

Police set up checkpoints on roads leading from the prison and detained several people without identity cards, according to Reuters.

Eleven inmates were caught during the break, which happened during a period when some were bathing, officials said. The inmates broke into an area used by the guards, stealing at least five rifles among other weapons. One guard was shot dead.

Some 266 inmates do not wear uniforms, distinguishing them from the general population is difficult, the officials added.

According to Haiti’s Justice Minister Camille Edouard Junior, one prisoner fell to his death while attempting to scale a wall.

“One guard was killed during the incident,” Edouard Junior told Reuters. “Three prisoner were wounded, including one who died as a consequence of his wounds.”