At least two French prison officers have been killed and three others injured after an attack on their van carrying an inmate who is now on the run.

Police have launched a manhunt after the attack, which occurred at the Inarville toll on the A154 motorway in Val-de-Reuil in the Eure department, Normandy, shortly after 11am, reports said.

The fugitive prisoner has a conviction for “attempted murder”, according to Le Parisien.

The “circumstances are unknown at this stage” but local reports said the prison administration van was attacked by four armed men in two vehicles.

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