Officials from Pakistan and local police report that more than 200 inmates escaped from a prison in Karachi, located in southern Pakistan, during the late hours of the night prior to yesterday.

The escape occurred after a series of earthquakes prompted authorities to permit inmates to leave their cells and gather in the prison courtyard.

The Justice Minister for Sindh province, Zia Hassan Langah, addressed reporters at the scene, confirming that hundreds of prisoners were allowed outside due to the tremors, which caused widespread panic.

He noted that managing the crowd of approximately 1,000 individuals became challenging amidst the chaos.

Reports indicate that some of the inmates seized weapons from prison guards, resulting in an exchange of gunfire before they stormed the main gate and fled.

The prison break has raised significant concerns regarding security measures in correctional facilities across the region.

Authorities are currently conducting operations to recapture the escaped inmates, while investigations are underway to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.