The search for the 24-year-old prisoner who escaped from Litla-Hraun maximum security prison in South Iceland on Monday afternoon is ongoing, visir.is reports.

Litla-Hraun prison. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.

The search was scaled up yesterday with around 50 search and rescue workers joining the search.

Some local residents in the town closest to the prison picked up their children from kindergarten yesterday.

Matthías Máni Erlingsson is serving a sentence for attempted murder. He was sentenced to five years in prison in mid-September for the attempted murder of his former stepmother the previous April.

As earlier reported, Director General of Prison and Probation Administration Páll Winkel explained that Matthías is believed to have climbed over the fence surrounding the prison and hitched a ride to Reykjavík. Work methods at the prison will be reviewed following the incident, Páll stated.

Matthías is described as 171 centimeters tall and of slim build. He was wearing a gray hooded jumper, dark trousers and a black woolen hat when he escaped. A picture of him on can be viewed here.

Those who might have seen Matthías or have information about his whereabouts are asked to contact the police in Selfoss by calling: (+354) 410-8080.

ZR

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