Ethiopia's prison authorities said seven prisoners were shot dead and 26 were wounded on Thursday while attempting to flee a prison at the Kaliti suburb of the capital Addis Ababa.

"Among the heavy criminals who tried to break out at 2 p.m. ( 1100 GMT), 7 were killed, 6 heavily injured and 20 sustained light injuries," said a statement issued from the country's prison administration.

The convicts' attempt to escape was immediately put under control by the prison's guards, the statement said, adding that the matter is being investigated.

Source: Xinhua