More than 700 prisoners escape

Some 750 inmates have escaped from a prison in Congo after it was attacked by rebels. At least five people, including two policemen, were killed in the attack in the eastern town of Butembo, local officials said, according to a report in The Independent. Rebels of an Islamist Rebel Group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), attacked the Kakwangura prison during a transfer of prisoners, said Captain Anthony Mwalushay, spokesman for the Congolese army. Three ADF attackers burned to death in the assault, he said. The rebels launched the attack based on information that women prisoners associated with their group would be transferred from Beni to Butembo, he said. Butembo mayor Mowa Baeki-Telly told AP that the prison held more than 800 prisoners and that only about 50 remain.