Jailbreak by the numbers

76 escaped prisoners Two die trying to cross river Seven recaptured 19 prison officials arrested Two officials killed

Eighteen prison guards, as well as the deputy director of the prison were immediately arrested, pending an investigation into their part in the mass breakout.

It appears that inmates took advantage of large crowds for Sunday's Father's Day celebrations at the prison.

It was halfway through visiting hours, when one group, armed with AK-47 assault rifles which had apparently been smuggled in earlier in the day, began their breakout.

A woman police officer and a guard died as the prisoners attempted to shoot their way out of the supposedly maximum security installation.

Hijackings

Once outside, one group hijacked a bus with 14 passengers aboard in order to escape.

Others stopped cars at gunpoint on the busy highway leading south.

The authorities have said that they believe some of the inmates were making for the border with neighbouring El Salvador, and others north to the border with Mexico.

According to local radio, by nightfall some of the escapees had been surrounded after taking refuge in nearby villages.

The prison, one of Guatemala's more modern penitentiaries, holds some of the country's most dangerous criminals.

Convicted kidnappers and bank robbers are among those who escaped.

Two men awaiting their execution at the jail also broke free, but they are apparently among those already re-captured.