Four hardcore criminals on Tuesday escaped from at Maula prison in Lilongwe with the help of the outsiders.

Prison spokesperson Smart Maliro confirmed of the development in an interview with the press, saying the inmates escaped after breaking the fence and cell.

Maliro said the incident happened around 4 am in the morning.

He identified the criminals as James Daudi of Bonongwe village T/A Chimwala in Mangochi, Chonde Saudi of group village Ngwengwe in T/A Kalonga in Salima, Nix Daudi of Bonongwe village in T/A Chimwala, Mangochi all bank robbers and Edward Majawa a murder of Kabudula village in T/A Kabudula in Lilongwe.

Meanwhile Police and prison officials have launched a manhunt.