Dozens of Sudan Prisoners Escape from Darfur Jail
Local Editor
Dozens of inmates had escaped from jail in Sudan's western Darfur region following clashes with prison guards.
One inmate was killed and four policemen injured in clashes that erupted in the main prison in Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur State, according to a police statement.
"Rioting erupted in Zalingei prison. Prisoners have attacked police in the prison, seizing some guns and firing in all directions," the statement read.
"As a result, one prisoner was killed and four policemen were injured and taken to hospital, some of them in serious condition," it added.
Furthermore, about 27 inmates had since been recaptured by the security forces. Others, however, remained at large, according to the police.
The police statement, however, did not say how many inmates were still on the run.
Moreover, the release stressed that the incident would have no effect on elections that were currently taking place across the country.
Zalingei residents declared that an unknown number of people had been killed and injured in a gunfight that erupted during the jailbreak.
"We heard heavy gunfire from the prison; then prisoners came out to the streets of the city, trading fire with police before escaping," Mohamed Fadlallah said.
Another resident, Amna Ahmed Adam, stated that the shooting had caused panic among town residents.
In addition, a Zalingei policeman, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media said that the prisoners had raided the prison's arms depot before escaping.
"Prison guards and policemen followed them. During the ensuing clashes, some escaping inmates managed to seize two vehicles mounted with Dushka machineguns," he said.
"The number of people killed remains unknown," he added.
The incident took place as Sudanese voters elsewhere in the country casted ballots in presidential and parliamentary polls.
Source: News Agencies, edited by website team
- Related News