Indonesia mass breakout at Tanjung Gusta jail Published duration 11 July 2013

media caption Karishma Vaswani explains that a riot broke out following a protest over power shortages

At least 150 prisoners have escaped from a jail in the Indonesian city of Medan on the island of Sumatra.

The breakout came during a riot that officials say may have been prompted by a power cut that knocked out supplies of pumped water.

Hundreds of police and soldiers have been trying to restore order at the prison, and combing the surrounding area for the escaped inmates.

Some of the fugitives were reportedly convicted of terrorism charges.

"The prisoners were annoyed by a blackout and problems getting water, which they said happens often at the prison," Heru Prakoso, a spokesman for North Sumatra province police told Agence France Presse.

"Prison officials told us that the inmates then set fire to the facility."

Some prisoners also reportedly seized guns and hurled bottles at their wardens and, according to police, about 15 prison officials were taken hostage.