French Justice Minister Eric Dupont-Moretti confirmed that a violent incident occurred in Normandy on Tuesday, where two gunmen ambushed a prison convoy, resulting in the death of two prison guards and injuries to three others. The attack took place as the vehicle was transporting a prisoner from court to a nearby prison, marking a rare and shocking event for the region.
Video footage from the scene showed a black SUV engulfed in flames after crashing into a prison van near a toll booth. The perpetrators, wearing hoods and carrying what appeared to be long rifles, fled the scene following the attack. Dupont-Moretti expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the guards, highlighting that this was the first time a French prison employee had died on duty since 1992.
The gunmen remain at large, prompting a nationwide manhunt led by the national police. Dupont-Moretti assured the public that every effort would be made to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice for their heinous crime.
The breakout involved a 30-year-old inmate convicted of burglary and under investigation for a kidnapping case linked to a death. The French national prosecutor for organized crime has initiated an investigation into the incident, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin mobilizing a significant law enforcement presence to aid in the search.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of capturing the suspects to ensure justice for the victims and uphold the rule of law. The authorities are working tirelessly to locate the gunmen and the escaped inmate, with roadblocks and perimeters being set up to secure the area.
