Gunmen kill two guards and free prisoner in prison van attack in France | News

The Justice Minister says two injured prison guards are in critical condition after an ambush on a van while transporting a prisoner to meet an investigating judge in Rouen.

Armed robbers killed two French prison officers and seriously injured three others in a brazen attack on a convoy in Normandy during which a key inmate escaped, authorities said.

The van was transporting prisoner Mohamed Amra to Evreux prison after a hearing in Rouen when it was ambushed on Tuesday.

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said he would join a crisis unit to tackle the emergency.

“All means are being used to find these criminals. Following my instructions, several hundred police officers and gendarmes were mobilized,” Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin posted on X.

“This morning’s attack, which claimed the lives of prison administration officers, is a shock for all of us,” French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X.

“The nation stands with the families, the injured and their colleagues.”

The attack triggered a significant law enforcement operation in the northwest region of France, as authorities worked to secure the area and detain the attackers. The robbery took place on Tuesday morning on the A154 motorway, which has since been closed.

Amra was under close surveillance and was recently convicted of robbery. He was also under investigation for a kidnapping and murder case in Marseille, according to public prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

French media reported that Amra was nicknamed “La Mouche” (The Fly).

Beccuau announced an investigation into the attack, now considered a case of organized crime and homicide.

“At this stage, we regret the death of two prison officers in this armed attack, and two are in critical condition,” Beccuau said in a statement.

The investigation will also address organized escape attempts, possession of weapons for military use and conspiracy to commit crimes.

Law and order is a major issue in French politics in the run-up to next month’s European elections and the incident has provoked fierce reactions from politicians, especially the far right.

“It’s a real savagery that hits France every day,” said Jordan Bardella, the main candidate of the far-right National Rally (RN), which is leading opinion polls for the elections.