Police and military forces prevent 73 inmates from escaping Tanta prison

Inmates' relatives had attacked the prison as part of the break-out plan, according to preliminary investigations by the prosecution

Security forces prevented 73 inmates from escaping Tanta's second police station on Friday. Four policemen sustained injuries and bruises in the process.
The rioting prisoners set blankets alight at the facility to wreak havoc and carve out a chance for themselves to break out.
Major Mostafa El-Baz, Gharbia's head of security, soon ordered police security, associated with military troops, to step in and restore order as rounds and tear gas were fired to force the inmates to keep inside.
Investigations held by the general prosecution revealed that some of the convicts' relatives had taken part in the implementation of the prison break plan.
They rallied outside the police station, seemingly attempting a forced entry.
They attacked the station and stoned surrounding police vehicles before security personnel stood up to them. The inmates started the blaze.
There have not been any reported deaths.
On 31 May military and police forces had prevented the escape of tens of inmates from Abu Zaabal Prison in Qalioubiya, north of Cairo.
A large number of prisoners escaped jail during the January 25 Revolution, some of whom remain at large.
More escape attempts followed the 18-day uprising, which resulted in the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak.
Police authorities are believed to have been responsible for a number of the prison breaks, in which prison gates were deliberately thrown open and the prisoners let out.
The post-Mubarak prisoners' getaways are widely considered to have been part of the attempted counter-revolution.