More than 200 prisoners escape from prison in Pakistan after the earthquake

More than 200 prisoners escaped from prison in the largest city of Pakistan after an earthquake in the early hours of Tuesday, police said.

Thousands of prisoners destroyed the doors and locks of their cells and smashed windows after feeling that tremor shake the walls in the Karachi Malir prison.

Of those who fled prison, police said 80 prisoners were seized and the searches continue more than 130 still free. One prisoner was killed in the operation and two prison officials were injured.

Prison chief said the BBC prisoners were beginning to shout from their cells and the barracks around midnight, as they were terrified that the building would collapse from above them.

After the fury became violent, police said they had reacted with warning shots, firing rifles in the air.

As many were returning to their cells, others stormed the main gate in panic – with 216 prisoners, using the opportunity to escape completely to prison.

Police are now going from door to door, visiting past residences to arrest those who are still in escape.

The Malir County Facility is the second largest shutter in the province of Sind and is above capacity. Although it can hold up to 2,200 prisoners, there are currently at least 5,000 prisoners.

Prison Minister Ali Hasan Zardari has ordered an investigation and warned that all guilt staff would be disciplined.

The prison chief told the BBC that the incident was “not a security pass, everything is due to a natural disaster.”

He said prison security teams were on the lookout and responded to the incident all the time.

Families are protesting outside the prison’s main gates, and police said the relatives of other prisoners are disappointed that the visits had been postponed.

Additional reporting from USMan Zahid