Three Prisoners Killed in South African Truck Blast

Officials believe bombing was escape attempt

Three inmates were killed and 14 wounded when their vehicle was bombed en route to a Johannesburg prison on Monday, in what officials are treating as an audacious escape attempt.

The blast occurred as two police officers were transporting 36 male prisoners -- all of whom were awaiting trial -- from Randburg court to the prison in the south of the country's largest city.

"There was an explosion in one of our vehicles at the traffic light in front of the facility," police spokesman Neville Malila told AFP.