A massive manhunt continues in France for the gunmen who ambushed a prison van, shot dead two guards inside the vehicle and then released a prisoner known as ‘The Fly’.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin called the search at broadcaster RTL ‘unprecedented’.
Interpol issued a warning for the man on Wednesday.
Darmanin said all resources were being used to find the attackers who staged the brutal attack in northern France.
A car rammed the van carrying the prisoner, causing it to stop near a highway toll booth near Incarville. Then another vehicle with gunmen inside drove up from behind. The perpetrators got out of their car and opened fire on the van with machine guns.
One of the slain guards leaves behind two children, while the other has a wife who is five months pregnant, authorities said. Three other people were injured.
The prisoner was then able to flee with four attackers.
The 30-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Fly’, was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for charges including burglary and aggravated theft. He is also accused of premeditated murder and deprivation of liberty in other cases.
French media reported that he had contacts with organized crime and that he tried to look through the bars of his cell to free himself not long before Tuesday’s attack.
Two cars have now been found a few kilometers away from the crime scene, which could possibly be the getaway vehicles. However, there was no trace of the perpetrators.
The prisoner transport was not accompanied by the police. Unions are now calling for better protection for prison staff and more staff.
The prisoner transport was not accompanied by the police. Unions are now calling for better protection for prison staff and more staff and held protests outside prisons across the country.
