Police find three of 11 prison fugitives

Several hours after eleven inmates escaped from a prison in central Greece following an attack against guards involving grenades and automatic weapons, police said they had recaptured three of the fugitives.

A search of the area around Trikala prison was underway, police sources said, with helicopters aiding forces on the ground in a bid to locate the eight inmates who remained at large.

Earlier in the day, the Justice Ministry referred to an “unprecedented military-style armed attacked using a Kalashnikov and hand grenades which were detonated.”

Prison staff were searching the grounds of the institution for weapons.

The standoff began on Friday night after several gunmen attacked the prison after driving up to the site in two vehicles. Two guards were injured.