Daring Escape: Inmate Freed During Ambush on French Prison Convoy Resulting in Guard Casualties
In a daring ambush on a prison convoy in Normandy, two prison guards lost their lives while three others were wounded as an inmate was successfully freed by assailants. French Justice Minister Eric Dupont-Moretti reported the incident on Tuesday.
At least two gunmen ambushed a prison convoy in Normandy on Tuesday. They broke out an inmate, resulting in the death of two prison guards and injuries to three others, as reported by French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti. The violent incident, which is not common in this part of northern France, occurred while the vehicle was transferring a prisoner from court to a nearby prison, Dupond-Moretti explained.
Video footage showed a black SUV on fire after crashing into a prison van near a motorway toll booth. Two individuals with hoodies were seen carrying what seemed to be long rifles.
According to Dupond-Moretti, this incident marked the first time a French prison staff member had died on duty since 1992. He mentioned that one of the guards had a wife and two children, while the other had a spouse who was five months pregnant. Additionally, Dupond-Moretti stated that two of the injured individuals were in critical condition.
The national police stated on X that the gunmen are still on the run.
Dupond-Moretti emphasized that every possible effort will be made to capture those responsible for the terrible crime. These individuals have no regard for life, but they will be apprehended, brought to justice, and held accountable for their actions.
A manhunt is currently in progress to locate the individuals responsible for the prison escape. The inmate involved is a 30-year-old who was serving time for burglary and is also being looked into for a kidnapping case that resulted in a death. The French national prosecutor in charge of organized crime is leading the investigation into the incident. At this time, CNN is refraining from disclosing the name of the inmate.
A forensics team inspects the site of a prison convoy ambush in France on Tuesday in which two guards were killed.
A forensics team inspects the site of a prison convoy ambush in France on Tuesday in which two guards were killed.
Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that he has deployed the national gendarmerie and "several hundred" police officers to assist in the manhunt. Authorities are currently setting up roadblocks and establishing a perimeter, as reported by BFMTV.
French President Emmanuel Macron reassured the public by stating that "every possible effort is being made to apprehend those responsible for this crime, in order to bring justice on behalf of the French people."
Editor's P/S:
This tragic incident has left me deeply saddened and outraged. The senseless loss of life and the injuries sustained by the prison guards are a stark reminder of the dangers these individuals face in the line of duty. The fact that this is the first such incident in France since 1992 highlights the rarity of such occurrences, but it also underscores the gravity of the situation.
The escape of the inmate, who is being investigated for a kidnapping resulting in a death, raises concerns about the potential threat he poses to society. The manhunt currently underway is crucial to apprehending this dangerous individual and ensuring the safety of the public. The deployment of hundreds of police officers and the establishment of roadblocks demonstrate the authorities' commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and restoring order.
