Prison authorities say more than 40 inmates have escaped from a prison in Nasir County, Upper Nile state.

Officials say most prisoners escaped when a fence surrounding the prison was damaged during fighting last month.

Prison Director Colonel Simon Lual Tut says male and female prisoners escaped and one prisoner was recaptured the same day:

“First they tried to take our guns from us, but we did not let them take our guns. Then they got away,” he told Sobat FM.

“The public may think that we freed prisoners when fighting erupted but no, we did not free them. Only two prisoners who have mental problems are in prison now,” he said

The situation in Nasir County has been unstable since fighting erupted on 22nd December between supporters of President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar.