Four Republic of Mozambique Police (PRM) officers are being held on suspicion of facilitating the escape of eight prisoners from cells in the third police station in Beira, capital of the central province of Sofala, an official source announced.

"Yesterday [Monday], our magistrate went to the scene to find out the real causes of the prisoners' escape. There is already a criminal case against the four police officers who were on duty the day of the escape," said José Corado, chief prosecutor of the city of Beira.

Corado advanced that the agents were detained on orders from the provincial prosecutor's office, following an investigation.

"We learned that an investigation team has already been set up to find out the real causes of the escape. We can not remain unaware of this situation," he emphasized to Lusa.