* Bombing seen linked to failed escape attempt.
* Driver heard bank, saw hole in door, police say
(Adds details)
JOHANNESBURG Oct 22 (Reuters) – At least five prisoners
were killed and several more injured when a bomb tore through a
prison transport van in Johannesburg on Monday, South African
police and rescue services said.
In what appears to be a failed escape attempt, police said a
door of the van was blown open as it transported 36 prisoners
back to a jail in southern Johannesburg from a magistrate’s
court where they are awaiting trial.
“The driver heard a big bang. They noted there was a hole in
the door and saw two prisoners escape,” the South African Police
Service said in a statement, adding that police then arrested
the two.
Police were still investigating what kind of bomb was used,
spokesman Brigadier Neville Malila told Talk Radio 702.
“The explosive device that was used is still unknown,” he
said.
Police told reporters at a news conference that three of
prisoners were confirmed dead and 14 more injured. The remaining
19 were free from injury, police said.
However, an emergency services worker told Reuters that four
prisoners had died at the scene and another died en route to
hospital.
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