Fire breaks out after jail riot in Indonesia

Following a riot and fire, it has been reported that five people have died and many prisoners have escaped from jail

By Nicole Hamer |

12:45 12 July 2013

As a result of a riot at an Indonesian jail on Thursday, 11th July, a blaze broke out in the prison. Five people have been killed and a number of inmates ran free from the prison.

This relates to Tanjung Gusta jail, which is in Medan, Indonesia.

At least 150 inmates were said to be on the run from the prison, as said in one report by the BBC as of time of writing. Other reports, such as a report from the Daily Mail, said that almost 200 inmates escaped.

It is understood that a number of inmates who escaped the prison have been caught and that a large number of security staff are looking for the remaining inmates still missing, as of time of press.

Denny Indrayana, the Vice Minister of Justice, has asked the escaped inmates to hand themselves over to the authorities.

He said: “Legal action will be taken to chase them, and tougher action will be applied to those who refuse to surrender.”

Based on reports, it is thought the riot came about as a result of a power cut which then led to the prisoners not having water.

Medan is the capital of the North Sumatra region in Indonesia. Indonesia, whose capital city is Jakarta, is surrounded by Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia.