Five prisoners have been shot dead in a Papua New Guinea jail after warders resorted to using firearms to prevent a mass breakout.
The National reports at least seven others at Baisu jail outside Mt Hagen received bullet wounds and were rushed to hospital.
Those killed and injured were among at least 55 prisoners who tried to escape the prison last Friday afternoon.
Sources say 37 prisoners remain at large.
Correctional Services sources told The National the prisoners who broke out had asked to be transferred to other jails because of concerns about an outbreak of dysentery and suspected cholera.
A report published last week said three prisoners had died of dysentery.
The prisoners reportedly overpowered their guards after an officer said there was no money to transfer them and ordered that they be locked in their cells.
