French prisoner escapes in fellow inmate’s bag, officials say
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A prisoner in France escapes in his cellmate’s bag
A man has escaped from a prison in France by hiding in a bag belonging to his cellmate. The man “took advantage” of the release of his fellow inmate to escape, an official says. The inmate was serving several sentences, France’s prison service says. He was also under investigation in a case connected to organized crime, AFP reports.
A man has escaped from a prison in France by hiding in a bag belonging to his cellmate who was being released after finishing his sentence, an official told local media.
Sébastien Cauwel, director of France’s prison administration, told CNN affiliate BFMTV Sunday that the man “took advantage” of the release of his fellow inmate to escape from the Corbas prison near Lyon, a city in the country’s southeast.
Cauwel told the broadcaster that prison officials had noticed on Saturday morning that the man had escaped. He acknowledged an “accumulation of errors,” noting that an investigation into the incident had been opened.
“This is an extremely rare event that we have never seen in this administration and which clearly shows a whole series of serious failures,” Cauwel said, noting that the Corbas prison is overcrowded.
The prison has an occupancy rate of around 170%, he told the broadcaster. “That makes the working conditions of our officers more complicated.”
The inmate who escaped was serving several sentences, France’s prison service said in a statement cited by European news agency AFP. He was also under investigation in a case connected to organized crime, AFP reported, citing an unnamed source close to the matter.
Last year, another prisoner in France escaped after gunmen ambushed a prison convoy transporting him to a jail in the northern region of Normandy. The fugitive, Mohamed Amra – also known as “The Fly” – was rearrested in Romania in February this year, according to Reuters.
Man escapes prison by hiding in luggage of fellow cellmate as he’s released in France
20-year-old escaped from Lyon-Corbas prison, near Lyon, southeast France, on Friday. His cellmate had completed his sentence and the escaped prisoner managed to hide in his laundry bag as he left prison. An internal investigation is underway and Lyon prosecutors had opened their own investigations, the prison service said. The escaped prisoner was also under investigation in a case linked to organized crime, a source told AFP.
The 20-year-old prisoner escaped from Lyon-Corbas prison, near Lyon, southeast France, on Friday, broadcaster BFMTV reported. His cellmate had completed his sentence and the escaped prisoner managed to hide in his laundry bag as he left prison, the outlet reported.
The inmate was serving several sentences, the prison service said in a statement to AFP.
He “took advantage of the liberation of his fellow inmate to hide himself in his luggage and get out,” the statement said.
The escaped prisoner was also under investigation in a case linked to organized crime, a source close to the affair told AFP.
An internal investigation is underway and Lyon prosecutors had opened their own investigations, the prison service added.
Sébastien Cauwel, the director of the prison administration, told BFMTV on Sunday that an “accumulation of errors” and “a series of serious malfunctions” led to the escape.
“This is an extremely rare event that we have never experienced in this administration,” he said.
The prison of Lyon-Corbas is seen on February 20, 2019, in Corbas, France. JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images
Last month, the Lyon Bar Association raised concerns about overcrowding at the Lyon-Corbas prison, the BBC reported.
As of May 1, 2025, about 1,200 people were detained in the prison, which has capacity for 678 inmates, BFMTV had reported.
French prisoner escapes in fellow inmate’s bag, officials say
The man escaped from Lyon-Corbas prison in south-east France on Friday. He “took advantage of the liberation of his fellow inmate to hide himself in his luggage and get out”, the prison service said.
The prison service has launched an investigation after the man escaped from Lyon-Corbas prison in south-east France on Friday, according to broadcaster BFMTV.
He “took advantage of the liberation of his fellow inmate to hide himself in his luggage and get out”, the prison service said in a statement to AFP news agency.
French media have reported that the escaped prisoner was serving several sentences and was also under investigation in a case linked to organised crime.
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A judicial investigation has also been opened into possible “escape as part of an organised gang and criminal conspiracy”, according to local media.
Last month, the Lyon Bar Association expressed alarm about overcrowding at the Lyon-Corbas prison.
As of 1 May 2025, around 1,200 people were detained in the prison, which has capacity for 678 places, BFMTV had reported.
French Inmate’s Daring Escape: Hidden in Fellow Prisoner’s Bag Shocks Authorities!
A man escaped from Lyon-Corbas prison by hiding in a fellow inmate’s bag. An investigation into the escape is underway. Officials reported that the escapee was serving multiple sentences and was under investigation for organized crime. The escape underscores serious concerns about prison conditions globally, prompting a reevaluation of security measures in correctional facilities. How can such an escape happen in a facility known for overcrowding?
www.bbc.com
A dramatic prison escape has unfolded in France, capturing global attention. A man successfully fled Lyon-Corbas prison by hiding in the bag of a fellow inmate who was being released after serving their sentence. This incident, which occurred on July 13, 2025, has raised serious concerns about prison security and overcrowding.
6 Key Takeaways Man escaped French prison in luggage.
Incident occurred at Lyon-Corbas prison.
Investigation launched by prison service.
Escaped prisoner linked to organised crime.
Judicial inquiry into criminal conspiracy.
Overcrowding concerns raised by Lyon Bar Association.
Officials reported that the escapee was serving multiple sentences and was under investigation for organized crime. In response, the French prison service has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape, including potential links to a criminal conspiracy.
Fast Answer: A man escaped from Lyon-Corbas prison in France by hiding in another inmate’s luggage, raising concerns about security and overcrowding in prisons worldwide.
This incident highlights pressing questions about prison management and security protocols. How can such an escape happen in a facility known for overcrowding? The Lyon Bar Association had previously raised alarms about the prison’s capacity issues. Consider these points:
Overcrowding can lead to compromised security.
Inmates may exploit vulnerabilities during transitions.
Organized crime connections complicate escape investigations.
The escape underscores serious concerns about prison conditions globally, prompting a reevaluation of security measures in correctional facilities.
As authorities investigate this escape, it serves as a reminder of the need for improved prison systems to ensure safety and security for all. Will this incident prompt necessary reforms?
French prisoner escapes in luggage of fellow inmate leaving prison
The 20-year-old prisoner escaped from Corbas prison, near Lyon, south-east France, on July 11. The inmate was serving several sentences, the prison service said.
LYON, France – France’s prison service said on July 13 that it had launched an investigation after a man escaped by smuggling himself into his cellmate’s bag as he left jail, having served his sentence.
The 20-year-old prisoner escaped from Corbas prison, near Lyon, south-east France, on July 11, broadcaster BFMTV reported.
The inmate was serving several sentences, the prison service said in a statement to AFP.
He “took advantage of the liberation of his fellow inmate to hide himself in his luggage and get out”, the statement said.
The escaped prisoner was also under investigation in a case linked to organised crime, a source close to the affair told AFP.
An internal investigation is under way and Lyon prosecutors had opened their own investigations, the prison service added. AFP