The apparent ease with which five inmates broke out of a prison in the northern province of Battambang over the weekend has raised enough eyebrows at the Interior Ministry to spur an investigation into how they managed to escape.

Sorn Keo, spokesman for the ministry’s department of prisons, said yesterday investigators had been dispatched to the province to find out what happened.

Meanwhile, the search continues for the escapees, three of whom were inside for murder and serving sentences of more than 10 years.

The men broke free in the early, dark hours on Saturday after being moved into a low-level security room reserved for the sick.

Guards separated them from the general population because of lung infections and loud coughing that was disturbing sleeping prisoners.

But they weren’t weak enough to prevent them climbing through a smashed window in the room, which is how prison officials believe they got out.

It is the second time this year that inmates have checked themselves out of cells in Battambang.

Observers have said low walls and negligent guards are to blame.

Prison chief Korng Saren declined to comment yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mom Kunthear at [email protected]