Dozens shot dead in botched Diyala prison break

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Thirty escaped prisoners were shot dead and another six recaptured Friday after a prison break in Diyala province, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said on Saturday, adding that six police officers were also killed in the fighting. 

At least 40 prisoners had escaped a police prison in the town of Khalis, with nine of the escapees described as terrorists, 

“Yesterday several prisoners managed to disarm a security officer inside the prison. As a result, some police and people were killed inside the Khalis Police Station,” General Saad Maan, defense ministry spokesman told the press in Baghdad on Saturday.

He added: “In the aftermath of this incident, some 40 prisoners managed to escape from the police, nine of the escapees were terrorists, but later 30 of the escapees were shot dead by the police, six of them were recaptured and also six police were killed due to the clashes.”

“The police are in hot pursuit of those who are not recaptured yet,” said the spokesperson. 

Khalis is roughly 15km north of Baqubah, capital of Diyala province.