Al-Qaeda militants escape in Yemen prison break

Yemeni officials say several al-Qaeda militants have escaped from a prison in the southern port city of Aden.

Yemeni officials say several al-Qaeda militants have escaped from a prison in the southern port city of Aden.

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A prison officer says at least 10 convicts escaped on Monday morning through a tunnel dug by the inmates. He says an investigation is under way.

A security official says 15 militants fled, including several convicted of killing security officials and a bank heist.

The discrepancy in the number of escaped prisoners could not be immediately reconciled. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

Yemen has been wrecked by months of political turmoil and unrest.

In June, nearly 60 suspected al-Qaeda militants tunneled their way out of a prison in the southern Mukalla city.