More than 30 ‘dangerous’ inmates still on the run
MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Jan. 1, 2014) – More than 30 prisoners remain on the run in Papua New Guinea's southern highlands, after a mass breakout during Christmas celebrations at the weekend.
At total of 42 prisoners escaped from the Buiebi jail just outside of Mendi late on the weekend, but six have since been recaptured.
The Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commissioner Chief Inspector Sibron Papoto told Pacific Beat it seems the breakout was well planned.
Mr Papoto says it is a routine that the officers take the prisoners out for church service and light refreshments during the Christmas period.
Just as the prisoners were being locked up, some of them tried to escape by getting into a fight with the officers in charge.
"They knocked off (a) particular lance corporal, lifted them up and pushed them towards the main gate," Mr Papoto said.
"As soon as that was going...