Jail guards taken hostage after escape bid fails

Prisoners took three security guards hostage at a Paris jail after a failed escape attempt involving a hijacked helicopter.

One of the three hostages was later released unharmed at the Fresnes prison. A fourth guard was injured during an exchange of gunfire, authorities said.

Accomplices of the prisoners hijacked a helicopter and forced the pilot to hover over the jail’s courtyard for several minutes, police said.

They apparently hoped the two prisoners would be able to climb aboard a dangling ladder.

An exchange of gunfire broke out during the attempt, with the helicopter’s hijackers shooting and injuring a guard in a watchtower, police said.

The people aboard the helicopter dropped a bag containing weapons into the courtyard before flying off. The two prisoners used the weapons to take the security guards hostage.

An elite police force tonight continued to negotiate for the release of the two guards still held captive. Police said they were unharmed.

The helicopter’s hijackers abandoned the aircraft at a nearby stadium.

The pilot was not hurt.