MEDAN, Indonesia – Police searched Friday (July 12th) for about 100 inmates – including terrorists and militants – who escaped after a riot and fire broke out inside an overcrowded jail in Medan, Sumatra late Thursday, AFP reported.

Firemen attempt Thursday (July 11th) to put out a fire at the Tanjung Gusta prison building in Medan, Sumatra. Police are searching for about 100 inmates, including terrorists and militants, who escaped amid riots at the overcrowded prison that led to five deaths. [Kharisma Tarigan/AFP]

At least five people were killed in the melee, apparently triggered by power cuts and water shortages inside the Tanjung Gusta facility. Built to hold 1,054 inmates, well over double that number were inside when the fighting broke out and fires were lit.

Among the dead were two prison officials who were trapped in a burning office.

About 1,000 police and soldiers were deployed to guard the facility and launch the manhunt for those still on the lam, including six convicted terrorists and 11 inmates described as extremists.