THREE escapees from the Kerevat Correctional Institution remain at large in the Rabaul District, while seven have been recaptured and one is confirmed dead, according to the latest update from district authorities.
Rabaul District Law and Order Officer Tony Namur confirmed that out of the 38 inmates who escaped on the night of July 8th, eleven are from the Rabaul District.
Those recaptured include Inen Pio, Amos Walter, Bola Guman, Steven Sengi, Samuel Freddy, and Nason Manuel from Matalau.
Still on the run are Gordon David, along with Matu Bai, 26, and Joseph Blaise, 20-both from Nodup.
Aki Daniel has been reported deceased.
Authorities are maintaining pressure on the remaining fugitives and have urged them to surrender peacefully to avoid unnecessary confrontation.
Police and Correctional Services have reiterated that harboring or assisting escapees is a criminal offence and have called on families, village leaders, and the general
public to assist in bringing the fugitives back into custody.
Search operations will intensify if the three fail to turn themselves in voluntarily.
Provincial Law and Order Committee Chairman Hon. James Kopex Wong has previously appealed to the escapees to give themselves up and has warned that security forces will have no choice but to use force if they resist apprehension.
The mass escape from Cell Block 07 has raised serious concerns over supervision lapses at the correctional facility, with a full investigation now underway.