Manhunt launched for 17 escaped inmates in Indonesia's West Papua

JAKARTA, INDONESIA: At least 17 inmates escaped from a prison in Indonesia's West Papua province, prompting authorities to launch a large-scale manhunt, local media reported Sunday.

The inmates: which include 13 convicts and 4 detainees in pre-trial detention: escaped from Papua's Manokowari Detention Center, the Jakarta Post reported.

According to reports, Sunday's religious ceremonies had just finished at around noon local time, when a group of inmates surrounded and rushed one of the officers on guard near the prison entrance, which led to the escapes.

"The manhunt is still being carried out by the Manokwari Detention Center," detention center warden William Kmor said. "We'll see how it goes."

Kmor added that while two officers were on guard, the other was making rounds when the incident occurred.

(BNO NEWS )