Pacific

Two inmates escape in New Caledonia

19:22 pm on 19 November 2009

Two inmates have escaped from New Caledonia's prison, bringing to 16 the number of prisoners to break out of the territory's jail this year.

The two convicted robbers managed to dig a hole in the wall of the penitentiary which was built in the 19th century.

This comes amid calls for a new prison to be built as the jail has twice the number of inmates it was built for.