Mass Prison Breaks Amid Sulawesi Disaster
The Indonesian government confirmed that a staggering 1,200 inmates fled from three detention facilities in the battered region of Sulawesi following last Friday’s earthquake and tsunami.
Where the Escapes Happened
- Palu – Overcrowded prison cells saw inmates scrambling for freedom.
- Donggala – The same pattern emerged in another high‑capacity facility.
- Other Site – A third detention center joined the chaos, though specifics remain scarce.
Official Insight
Ministry of Justice spokesperson Sri Puguh Utami explained the motive: inmates feared the quake’s impact and decided it was a life‑or‑death situation. “They were sure they’d be caught in the tremor,” she said, emphasizing the desperate nature of their escape.
Implications
With the region still grappling with aftershocks and damaged infrastructure, authorities must balance security with the urgent need to aid those left in peril. The prison break adds a grim layer to an already tragic scenario.
