“[Li] fell on his rear and turned over. Then he ran off at a steady trot,”
one security guard who reportedly witnessed his break out told Kyodo news
agency.
His escape resulted in the mobilisation of 800 police officers who scoured the
streets of Hiroshima looking for the convict, as well as distributing his
description to alert members of the public.
While Li was still on the run, officials advised residents to lock their front
doors and bring their washing indoors, while children were also recommended
to travel in supervised groups.
Li, believed to be a burglary gang leader, was sentenced to 23 years in prison
in 2005 after he was found guilty of breaking into a house, shooting at a
police officer and stealing a squad car.
Officers at the Hiroshima prison have apologised to the nation for the escape
of the convict amid reports that a number of sensor-activated alarms were
switched off due to on-going repair work at the site.