This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/12/inmates-escape-indonesia-jail-riot

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hundreds of inmates break out of Indonesian jail after deadly riot and fire Indonesian prison fire: hundreds on the run after deadly riot
(about 4 hours later)
Authorities are searching for scores of inmates, including convicted terrorists, who escaped from a crowded Indonesian prison after prisoners set fires and started a deadly riot at the jail in the nation's third-largest city.Authorities are searching for scores of inmates, including convicted terrorists, who escaped from a crowded Indonesian prison after prisoners set fires and started a deadly riot at the jail in the nation's third-largest city.
Thousands of policemen and soldiers were deployed around Tanjung Gusta prison to blockade roads linking Medan, the capital of north Sumatra, to other provinces while fire brigades fought the fires on Friday.Thousands of policemen and soldiers were deployed around Tanjung Gusta prison to blockade roads linking Medan, the capital of north Sumatra, to other provinces while fire brigades fought the fires on Friday.
About 200 prisoners escaped after the riot late on Thursday in which three prison employees and two inmates were killed.About 200 prisoners escaped after the riot late on Thursday in which three prison employees and two inmates were killed.
By Friday security forces had retaken control of the prison after soldiers entered without resistance, prison directorate spokesman Akbar Hadi said.
Officers have rearrested 55 inmates and were still searching for the rest, said local police chief Lieutenant-Colonel Nico Afinta. Three convicted terrorists had been recaptured.Officers have rearrested 55 inmates and were still searching for the rest, said local police chief Lieutenant-Colonel Nico Afinta. Three convicted terrorists had been recaptured.
He said the prison employees who died, including a woman, were trapped and killed in an office building that was burned by prisoners during the riot.He said the prison employees who died, including a woman, were trapped and killed in an office building that was burned by prisoners during the riot.
Indonesian police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said 15 prisoners who escaped were believed to be "terrorists". Those 15 are believed to have links to Toni Togar, who is serving a 20-year sentence in a different prison for a series of church bombings in Sumatra in 2000, the Jakarta Post reported on Friday.Indonesian police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said 15 prisoners who escaped were believed to be "terrorists". Those 15 are believed to have links to Toni Togar, who is serving a 20-year sentence in a different prison for a series of church bombings in Sumatra in 2000, the Jakarta Post reported on Friday.
The riot appeared to have been triggered by a power blackout that knocked out water pumps, leaving inmates without water since Thursday morning.The riot appeared to have been triggered by a power blackout that knocked out water pumps, leaving inmates without water since Thursday morning.
Inmates forced their way out of the prison while others set offices on fire and held about 15 officers captive, prison directorate spokesman Akbar Hadi said. None of the hostages was still being held by Friday morning.
The jail was holding nearly 2,600 prisoners but its normal capacity was 1,500, Hadi said.The jail was holding nearly 2,600 prisoners but its normal capacity was 1,500, Hadi said.
Witnesses said gunshots were heard from inside the prison, and television footage showed security forces carrying a white body bag into an ambulance from the burning prison. The fire sent flames jumping metres into the air and a huge column of black smoke billowed over the jail.Witnesses said gunshots were heard from inside the prison, and television footage showed security forces carrying a white body bag into an ambulance from the burning prison. The fire sent flames jumping metres into the air and a huge column of black smoke billowed over the jail.
Hadi estimated about 500 inmates were resisting calls to stop the riot and said an evacuation was planned for the safety of inmates who could become hostages as tensions showed no signs of easing.Hadi estimated about 500 inmates were resisting calls to stop the riot and said an evacuation was planned for the safety of inmates who could become hostages as tensions showed no signs of easing.
Vice minister of justice Denny Indrayana, who is in Medan overseeing the operation, has requested evacuation of all inmates and appealed for those who escaped to give themselves up.Vice minister of justice Denny Indrayana, who is in Medan overseeing the operation, has requested evacuation of all inmates and appealed for those who escaped to give themselves up.
"Legal action will be taken to chase them, and tougher action will be applied to those who refuse to surrender," Indrayana said."Legal action will be taken to chase them, and tougher action will be applied to those who refuse to surrender," Indrayana said.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.