6 Oct 2005

33 inmates escape from jail in PNG's Western Highlands

3:21 pm on 6 October 2005

Papua New Guinea police have begun an inquiry into yesterday's mass jailbreak by high risk prisoners in Mt Hagen.

The newspaper, The National, reports one prisoner was shot dead and 15 were recaptured following the jailbreak in Baisu prison in Western Highlands province.

Police have blamed the incident on negligent wardens at the institution, which is one of the biggest in the country.

In January this year, 65 prisoners escaped from the country's biggest jail, Bomana, after cutting a hole in the fence.