Residents recorded the moment several inmates climbed onto the roof of the prison in an attempt to flee while officers opened fire to stop the escape.

The incident prompted a large-scale operation involving the National Police and the Dialogue and Order Maintenance Unit.

According to initial reports, the inmates took advantage of the unrest caused by the riot to reach the roof of the facility before escaping, bypassing the prison's security measures.

Authorities have not confirmed how many prisoners escaped.

However, unofficial reports suggested that more than 30 inmates may have fled. Police set up patrols and checkpoints across Popayan as the search continued for those who remained at large.