Several detainees have broken jail at the Monrovia Central Prison in the wake of the three-day riots by gangs in Paynesville, Gardnersville and adjacent suburbs.

The number of detainees who escaped prison is unknown, but UNMIL police Chief Mark Kroeker, said seven of the escapees have been arrested.

He said UNMIL and local prison authorities are reportedly probing into the circumstances of the incident. The UNMIL police guarding the prison compound were reported to have opened fire apparently to prevent the escape of more prisoners.

The escapees were reported to have exploited the weekend riots that swept across the city to flee their cells at the Monrovia Central Prison.

As all attention was focused on the riots in which more than 14 people were killed and several properties damaged, the inmates used the situation to break the cells and ran away.

Sources say the police are on the hunt for the escapees. Widespread violence erupted in and around Monrovia at the weekend with irate youths going on the rampage, looting, killing and destroying churches, mosques and private dwellings.

The violence came as the UN deadline for the disarmament of combatants expired. UN special envoy Jacques Klein said 94,000 fighters gave in their weapons.

Meanwhile, the 4 p.m.-7 a.m. curfew imposed since Saturday remains in force. Residents are allowed to come out in search of food and other essentials before dawn.

Riots flared up again in Jacob Town Sunday with members of the Mandingo tribe and other tribes fighting each other.

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