At least 100 inmates, some of them armed, escaped a Haitian prison near the capital Port-au-Prince during a mutiny, killing at least one guard, a source close to the investigation said Sunday.
Local media, citing police, said 172 prisoners had fled the Arcahaie facility, located on the coast north-west of the capital Port-au-Prince.
A preliminary investigation indicates a guard forgot to lock a door Saturday as the inmates were eating. The prisoners left the cafeteria and armed themselves with police weapons, the source said on condition of anonymity.
During the ensuing firefight, the head prison guard was killed and two others were wounded.
Le Nouvelliste newspaper quoted Arcahaie prison manager Heurtelou Paul Colson as saying one prisoner climbed a wall and fell to his death, while two other detainees were wounded and in hospital.
Authorities refused to officially confirm the number of inmates involved or the death toll.
"Special police units are on site to secure the area and prevent those responsible from causing further harm," the office of interim prime minister Enex Jean-Charles, who also serves as defense minister, said in a statement.