96 prisoners escape from Ivory Coast jail

At least 96 inmates have escaped from a prison in the central Ivory Coast city of Katiola, officials say.

Sunday's escape is believed to have been orchestrated by followers of Yacouba Coulibaly, known as Yakou the Chinese, a popular bank robber who was killed during a prison riot in the capital Abidjan in 2016.

Sources cited by news site Connection Ivorienne said the prisoners had been allowed out to work when they ran away, disappearing despite being shot at by guards.

Since July, police stations have been targeted by a series of attacks carried out by armed men who steal weapons, vehicles and money.

The attacks threaten Ivoryu Coast's fragile peace that was achieved when then-president Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept his 2010 electoral defeat despite international pressure.