174 Inmates Escape Jail In Haiti: One Prison Guard Dead, Multiple Injuries, Stolen Firearms
Reuters reports that 174 inmates have escaped a jail in Haiti. One prison guard is dead, and there are multiple injuries among inmates, one who has died from his injuries. Further, the inmates stole firearms before leaving the premises.
The U.S. embassy in Haiti has advised people to avoid the Arcahaie area after the violent prison break. Edouard Junior told Reuters that the mass jail escape has led to two deaths and others with injuries.
“One guard was killed during the incident. Three prisoner were wounded, including one who died as a consequence of his wounds.”
After the escape, the prison had sandals scattered all over, and the bloody body of the guard who was shot to death laid on the floor.
Haiti prison break sees 174 prisoners escape and prison officer killed https://t.co/pCOfKJq5Y3
— UCCO supporter ?? ?? (@Crusader_4_COs) October 23, 2016
Authorities have started a manhunt searching for the escaped inmates. The U.N. Peacekeepers have also stepped up to help with the search. Checkpoints have been set up on each and every road leading from the prison. So far, they have detained several people who did not have identification cards.
Unfortunately, it has been revealed that inmates at the Arcahaie jail do not wear uniforms, thus making it easier for them to blend in.
During the breakout, they were able to catch 11 inmates. The escape took place while several inmates were bathing. Some inmates broke into the area where firearms were held, stole several weapons, and killed a guard as they fled the prison.
Junior revealed that one prison died as a result of hitting his head as he fell off a wall.
The Sun has reported that there were bullet holes in some of the walls.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Justice say that they are taking all measures to fix this “unacceptable” situation.
Seeker reveals historical prison breaks, some dating back into the 1800’s.
Back in 1864, prisoners from the Civil War decided that they have had enough and escaped Libby Prison, which was located in Richmond Virginia. The lack of food, improper sanitation, and lack of proper medical care led to over 100 inmates escaping. The escape was considered successful, as more than half made it back to Union lines.
Australia’s Cowra POW Camp saw a violent breakout back in 1944 after nearly 1,000 Japanese POWs put themselves in the line of machine gun fire, flew into barbed wire fences, and some even took their own lives rather than being captured. There were 230 inmates killed and more than 100 wounded. Further, four guards also died during this prison escape.
What was to be “The great escape” in 1944 ended up being an epic failure for the 200 prisoners who fled prison to an underground tunnel. Unfortunately, most of the inmates were recaptured because the tunnel was too short. The Gestapo warned other prisoners to avoid a future breakout by killing around 50 of the recaptured prisoners.
Nearly 200 prisoners escaped from Batticaloa Jail back in 1983, some being a part of political groups, and the remaining who simply took advantage of the moment. They overpowered guards and stole weapons before fleeing the prison by boat to India. In 1984, Tamil Tigers broke into the prison to retrieve a female inmate, who was originally left behind.
Since 1983, the Tamil Tigers have been in a war for their freedom. Over 70,000 have died since the start of their fight.
An Afghanistan prison, Sarposa prison, has had more prison breaks than any jail on this list combined. Over 1,000 prisoners escaped in 2008, mostly Taliban, after a truck exploded outside the facility. During the chaos, nearly every inmate escaped.
Three years later, despite the major security upgrades, the prison experienced another mass escape. Around 500 prisoners used a tunnel to break out of jail while Taliban insurgents distracted guards.
While the search for the escaped inmates in Haiti is still active, updates will be provided as they become available.
[Featured Image by Dieu Nalio Chery/AP Images]
