Sunday, October 28, 2007

Two criminals escaped from a Belgian prison after a helicopter crash-landed inside the prison grounds as an apparent diversion, police said. The two men, including notorious serial escapee Nordine Ben Allal, managed to flee in a car thanks to armed accomplices, police said. The unknown accomplices had hijacked the helicopter then crash-landed it in the prison courtyard south of Brussels to allow Ben Allal, convicted of several armed attacks, to flee in the confusion and smoke, according to Belgian media. RTL television reported that a prison guard had been taken hostage during the commando-style operation and that several people were injured. A major police search, including helicopter surveillance, was underway. Media reports said the car was found abandoned about five kilometres from the prison. The prison did not wish to give any immediate information on the situation and the local police commander was similarly tight-lipped. Ben Allal has escaped from prison before, notably in 2004 when two police officers were injured in the getaway.

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