Stung Treng: The manhunt to find seven prisoners who escaped from Stung Treng prison is still ongoing. Authorities believe the seven fugitives have managed to escape going into the neighboring country, Laos. Stung Treng provincial administration says, the escapees will face another cases for the additional violation of the law committed.

The General Department of Prisons spokesman, Nuth Savana has told EAC News that seven prisoners, including four Laotian. They stole a boat to cross the Mekong River. A salesman in the area told authorities that he was opening his shop around 4am when seven strangers approached him, some shirtless and some appeared to be soaked with water, but they left when the salesman answered he didn’t sell shoes.

The search is being conducted at the dense Phnom Prasat forest in Stung Treng’s Thala Barivat district, where authorities believe the fugitives are attempting to cross the border into Laos. Six of the criminals are convicted for drug-related crimes, and one was sentenced for committing a murder in 2017. If found, they will be facing another violation, with fines possibly costing around $1500 plus additional years of imprisonment. Authorities are urging the public to contact the police if they see any of the fugitives in their areas.