92 inmates escape in western Ethiopia prison break

ADDIS ABABA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 92 prisoners have escaped from a prison in Gambella regional state, in western Ethiopia, state media Ethiopia News Agency (ENA) reported on Tuesday.

John Umod, chief police inspector of Gambella city prison, said the prison break occurred on Monday when guards were trying to stop a fight among inmates, ENA reported.

A manhunt for the 92 escapees and an investigation are underway, Umod said, adding that the prison was housing 316 inmates before the prison break.

In September 2016, a "failed prison break" near Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, left at least 23 inmates dead.