Inmates tunnel out of high-security jail

CARACAS, Venezuela - Twenty-four prisoners, some described as "highly dangerous," tunnelled their way out of a high-security jail in eastern Venezuela in a midnight escape, authorities said today.

The country's prison service said in a statement that the inmates slipped out of 'La Pica' jail in Monagas state yesterday through a 50-metre tunnel that probably took about three months to dig.

Venezuela's national guard and police were combing the surrounding area today for the fugitives.

- REUTERS