France manhunt continues as prisoner escapesafter ambush | BBC News

A manhunt is underway for a prisoner who escapedfrom a prison van during an ambush by armed menwho killed two prison officers and wounded others.

The prisoner on the run, Mohamed Amra, is said tohave ties to a gang in the southern city of Marseille,which has been plagued by drug-related gang violence.

Known as "The Fly", Amra was being taken from courtto a prison in the city of Rouen near Paris on Tuesdaywhen a car rammed the prison van at a toll booth andarmed men opened fire.