Middle East News
Reports: Egypt prison official killed, prisoners escape (Extra)
Jan 29, 2011, 22:30 GMT
Cairo - The head of a prison in western Egypt was killed and hundreds prisoners were able to escape, media reports said early Sunday.
According to the reports, the incident took place in Fayoum, a desert area west of Cairo. Some 700 prisoners escaped, and a top official holding the rank of general was killed, according to broadcaster al-Arabiya.
Separate reports said another senior defence official, also holding the rank of general, was kidnapped by angry crowds.
Unrest continues in Egypt, where protesters continue to call for democratic reforms and the ouster of the current leadership.
A high level of security incidents are being reported, causing concern among citizens who fear for their property and safety as looters have ransacked buildings and waged attacks.
Local residents are patrolling areas of Cairo, ordering citizens to keep lights on, in order to deter theft and vandalism. Some of these groups have detained looters.
Witnesses in several cities say the military instructed them to set up popular defence committees, after security fores were too stretched to handle the developing situation in Egypt.
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