Prisoners rioted in a prison in northwestern Syria on Monday after the devastating earthquake that occurred on February 6.

At least 20 prisoners believed to be involved with the terrorist organization "Islamic State" (IS) have escaped. 

This was reported by France 24 with reference to its own sources in the prison.

According to the source, Rajo military prison, located near the border with Turkey, holds about 2,000 prisoners, about 1,300 of whom are suspected of being involved with IS.

There are also Kurdish fighters among the prisoners.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake, whose epicenter was less than 100 km from Rajo, near Gaziantep in Turkey, damaged the prison, cracking walls and doors. 

"After the earthquake that affected Rajo, the prisoners started a riot and took control of a part of the prison.

About 20 prisoners escaped.

It is believed that they are members of the IS," said the interlocutor of the publication, who wished to remain anonymous. 

Located in a rebel-held area of ​​Syria, Rajo prison is controlled by pro-Turkish forces. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSHR), a London-based non-governmental organization with an extensive network of sources in the war-torn country, confirmed that there had been a prison riot but had no comment on the escape.

In total, the earthquake and its aftershocks have already killed more than 4,300 people in Turkey and Syria.

It will be recalled that the seismologist from the Netherlands, Frank Hoogerbits, predicted that a devastating earthquake would occur in Turkey and Syria three days before the disaster. 

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