Timika, C Papua, Sept. 30 -- Police in Central Papua are searching for 15 inmates who escaped from Nabire Class IIB Prison early Monday morning, authorities said.

The breakout occurred around 7:30 a.m. local time, according to Nabire Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Samuel D. Tatiratu.

The prison is located on Jalan Pipit in the Kali Harapan area of Nabire District.

"They escaped by tying a volleyball net rope to the top of the rear fence and climbing over the wall," Tatiratu said in a phone interview from Timika, the capital of Mimika District.

Police have questioned five guards who were on duty at the time. Investigators are still working to confirm the identities of the escapees.

"Our team is tracking them in the hills beh...