Six detainees and one prisoner died in a shoot-out in Kalay Prison in Sagaing Region as around 50 prisoners and detainees attempted to escape by taking three prison officials hostage, the Ministry of Information announced on the night of March 15.

While the prison warden and his assistant were in a meeting with the personnel discussing security affairs on March 15 evening, about 50 prisoners and detainees led by Van Dane from Room No.5 tried to escape from prison by taking hostage warden and assistant director U Kyaw Thu, deputy warden U Cho Min Latt and deputy supervisor U Yan Paing Myo.

The warden managed to escape, and the two others were tied beside the discipline enforcement office. The warden called out to the prisoners on hand speaker to release the two officers and go back to their rooms. But they failed to comply with the order.

Security guards gave three warning shots but they failed to comply again. Finally, the guards opened fire on the lower part of the mob. Consequently, six detainees and one prisoner were killed and 12 other prisoners wounded, the announcement said.

Then, the hostages were released and the detainees went back to their room. The situation was under complete control at about 5.40pm.