Chennai, Oct. 27 -- Nine prison staff members have been suspended for dereliction of duty following the escape of 16 undertrial prisoners from Tamil Nadu's Theni sub-jail, Tamil Nadu Prisons Director General of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore said on Tuesday.

"Nine prison staff are placed under suspension for lack of duty," Rathore said while commenting on the incident.

A total of 17 undertrial prisoners escaped from Theni sub-jail in Thekkampatti, Andipatti, on the night of October 26-27. One of the escapees was arrested earlier, and four more were subsequently apprehended during combing operations. A total of five prisoners have been arrested so far, while 12 remain at large.

Police have intensified the search for the escaped inmates, dep...