Three convicts escape prison in Belgium using hijacked helicopter

Three prisoners have escaped a Belgian jail in a hijacked helicopter - but left one of their accomplices behind, apparently for lack of space. The escapees fled the prison, near the city of Bruges in Belgium, on Thursday.

They then flew to the town of Aalter, where they seized a black Mercedes from a female driver and robbed a service station before heading for the Belgian coast.

One of the accomplices who flew the helicopter was left behind at the prison, apparently due to a lack of room in the helicopter.



No-one was hurt in the incident, which did not involve prisoners from the high-security wing.

But all three escapees - bank robber Ashraf Sekkaki, Mohammed Johry and Abdel Had Kahjary Mulloul - are all repeat offenders, prosecutors in Bruges said.

They include one of Belgium's most dangerous criminals, Ashraf Sekkaki, who has more than 16 convictions for violence, including kidnappings for ransom.