Escape tunnel


An escape tunnel is a form of secret passage used as part of an escape from siege or captivity. In the Middle Ages, such tunnels were usually constructed by the builders of castles or palaces who wished to have an escape route if their domains were under attack. Prisoners have dug escape tunnels to flee captivity.
In road and rail tunnels, narrower escape tunnels are provided to enable people to escape on foot in the event of a fire or other accident. For example, between the two main bores of the Channel Tunnel is an access tunnel large enough for a fire engine.

Medieval escape tunnels

Throughout the British Isles and much of northern Europe, escape tunnels were often part of the intrinsic designs of fortified houses and palaces. They were typically one half to two kilometers long, opening in a location not readily visible to attackers. Examples are at Muchalls Castle and the Bishops Palace at Exeter.

Prison escapes

Successful escapes

The following escapes were at least a partial success, with prisoners escaping via tunnels:
Prison LocationYearNumber of Successful EscapeesLength of TunnelDetails
Stalag Luft III, Żagań, Nazi Germany 1943330 m"The Wooden Horse", Lieutenant Michael Codner, Flight Lieutenant Eric Williams, and Flight Lieutenant Oliver Philpot
Stalag Luft III, Żagań, Nazi Germany 194476102 mLed by Roger Bushell during World War II. The story was made into the 1963 film The Great Escape.
Island Farm, Bridgend, southern Wales, UK19457021 mThe prison held Axis prisoners of war during World War II.
Carandiru prison, São Paulo, Brazil.2001100 unreportedMoises Teixeira da Silva, a convicted robber
Dugaluft, Frankfurt, Germany19411unknownPeter Butterworth was an English comic actor.
Kırşehir, Turkey198818118 mTurkish & Kurdish political prisoners
Miguel Castro Prison, Lima, Peru199039 to 48200 mVictor Polay and Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement members.
Vellore Fort, India19954347 mTamil Tiger inmates.
Yemen200623TODOInmates of Political Security Organization, including convicted mastermind of the USS Cole Bombing Jamal al-Badawi.
Burail, India19983TODOEscapees: Jagtar Singh Hawara, Jagtar Singh Tara, Paramjit Singh Beora
Sarposa Prison, Kandahar, Afghanistan2011476320 mAll but one were Taliban members.
Penal del Altiplano, Almoloya de Juarez, State of Mexico201511500 mEscapee: Mexican drug lord Joaquín Guzmán Loera, "El Chapo Guzmán", who originally was captured in 1993 in Guatemala and escaped from a Mexican federal maximum-security prison in 2001. He was rearrested by Mexican authorities on 22 February 2014 in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, but escaped on July 11, 2015.

Unsuccessful escapes