Two convicted robbers escaped from a high-security Greek prison by scaling a rope ladder to a hovering helicopter, authorities said on Sunday.
The exploit repeated a previous escape by the same prisoners from the same Athens prison three years ago.
Vassilis Paleokostas, 42, and Alket Rizaj, 34, were picked up by a helicopter that flew over the courtyard of Korydallos prison on Sunday afternoon. The inmates climbed a ladder thrown to them by a woman passenger, the justice ministry said.
Guards opened fire and the woman passenger returned fire with an automatic rifle. No injuries were reported.
