DIYALA, Iraq
At least 28 people were killed in a prison break in Iraq’s eastern Diyala province on Friday evening, a local official said on Saturday.
Sadiq al-Husseini, head of the province’s security committee, told Anadolu Agency that guards were overpowered during a riot at Khalis prison 70 kilometers (44 miles) northeast of Baghdad.
He said: “Prisoners began rioting during dinner on Friday evening and managed to gain control of the prison. They killed eight guards including a lieutenant.
“Security forces immediately swooped on the prison and killed 20 inmates who were attempting to escape but 15 others managed to get away.”
The Shafaq news website claimed that 30 prisoners and 10 guards were killed in the escape.
Security forces are sweeping the area to recapture escaped inmates.
Terrorist convicts are thought to be among those held at the prison although it was not clear if any had escaped.
In the past militant groups have sought to free prisoners with attacks on jails. In 2013, an attack at Abu Ghraib prison freed more than 500 inmates.
