A manhunt is under way after six prisoners escaped from a US jail by removing a toilet and crawling though a hole behind it.

The inmates escaped the prison in Cocke County, Tennessee, early on Christmas morning.

Image: After removing the toilet, inmates escaped through a hole to the outside

Bolts holding the toilet had rusted and the prisoners were able to remove it.

They then busted a hole through the concrete behind it, which had been damaged during plumbing repairs.

Image: Authorities have captured five of the six inmates from the Tennessee jail

Authorities were able to capture five of the six inmates but one remains on the run. It was unclear what the men were charged with.