Six Taiwan inmates committed suicide on Wednesday after they took prison staff hostage in a siege that lasted 14 hours, CNN reported.
Justice Ministry officials said the inmates attempted to break out of the Daliao prison in Kaohsiung City by pretending to be sick and stealing staff keys. However, the escape went wrong and the six prisoners broke into the armory and took a warden and guard hostage.
The prison was shut down and negotiators tried reasoning with the inmates, but in the end the hostages were freed and the inmates killed themselves.
"We tried to give them assurances so they wouldn't do something stupid and to reconsider, but sadly they committed suicide and we feel deep regret," Deputy Justice Minister Chen Ming-tang said according to The Australian.
At around 4 p.m. Wednesday, the six prisoners facked sickness and were sent to the infirmary where- while holding two staff members hostage- they failed to escape, CNN reported. They broke into the prison's armory and took a stockpile of weapons, including handguns, rifles and about 200 bullets, Justice Ministry officials said.
Prison Warden Chen Shih-chih and head prison guard Wang Shih-tsang were taken hostage after offering themselves in exchange for the other two captives.
One of the six inmates, Cheng Li-te, who was serving 28 years for murder, drafted a statement that was read on national television at 11 p.m. in exchange for the hostages' release. The prisoners, whose alleged crimes involved burglary, drugs and homicide, spoke of their harsh and unfair treatment in prison.
"I didn't kill anyone but I have to serve 18 years in prison. I'm not the only innocent inmate here. Who can speak out for us?" Li-te, head of an infamous crime gang, wrote according to CNN.
The hostage takers also demanded a car so they could leave safely through one of the prison's side doors.
When that demand was denied the inmates freed the hostages and shot themselves, the Justice Ministry said. Officials did not release any evidence of the suicides, however there was no indication of a police raid, The Australian reported
