By Scott Waide – EM TV News, Lae
Eleven prisoners have been shot dead and 17 others wounded and recaptured in a swift and severe response by police and correctional service officers in Lae City after a mass prison breakout this afternoon.
Just after 1pm today, more than 30 prisoners attacked and wounded two prison officers on duty and escaped from the prison compound.
Police were alerted by the jail commander and began pursuing the prisoners on foot in the West Taraka suburb – an area that shares a border with the prison compound.
“It is confirmed that 11 prisoners have been shot and killed and 17 wounded and recaptured,” Metropolitan Superintendent, Anthony Wagambie, said this afternoon.
“Police will await for CS to confirm number and identity of escapees before we try to locate them.”
As of 5pm, the prison was still unclear as to how many prisoners escaped during the breakout. Community leaders from West Taraka, assisted police in providing information that led to the capture of the prisoners.
Buimo Prison has been the subject of much controversy since 2012. There are a high number of young men in their 20s who are held in remand for long periods without any immediate hope of speedy trials.
There are also ongoing concerns raised by prisoners that have centred around abuse by prison officers and the general treatment of prisoners.
This is the second major jail break in two years. Last year, 55 prisoners escaped from Buimo in a breakout.
Just before 7pm, a convoy of police and CS vehicles brought the bodies of the 11 prisoners to the Angau Hospital morgue. The 17 wounded prisoners were taken to the accidents and emergency wing of the hospital under heavy guard.
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