Five Killed in Medan Prison Fire

Medan, N Sumatra (Antara) - Five people were killed in a fire at the Tanjung Gusta prison in the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan on Thursday night, police said. "Five people, including two prison wardens were killed," chief of the Medan city police Snr. Comr. Nico Afinta said on Friday. The two were chief of the registration section Bona Situngkir and prison officer HN Naibaho, he said. The identities of three other victims are still unknown. But they are believed to be inmates of the correctional facility. "They are believed to be inmates but their identities are still unknown," he said. The police believed the five people were killed because of fire rather than other cause. At least 150 inmates of the Tanjung Gusta correctional facility escaped after creating rioting in the prison on Thursday. Head of the correctional institution Muji Raharjo said the prisoners escaped at 18.30 local time after some of the jail breakers set fire on the prison administration office. Muji said the prisoners also held 15 prison guards hostage before they broke away. Muji said, according to initial conclusion the rioting began after shortage in water supply as a result of electricity problem in the prison. The correctional institution had 2,400 inmates before the incident. (*)