A dramatic escape occurred at Nice’s administrative detention center, where nine detainees broke free during mealtime by creating a hole in the ceiling and navigating through the roof. Concerns have been raised about the facility’s deteriorating conditions, which date back to the early 1900s. Local residents have expressed frustration over noise and communication among detainees. The escape highlights ongoing issues within detention centers, as authorities struggle with increasing numbers of individuals in irregular situations. Investigations are underway.
A Daring Escape from Nice’s Administrative Detention Center
This past Sunday at 7 PM, the cafeteria of the administrative detention center in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) became the backdrop for a dramatic escape that could be straight out of a film. This small facility, which accommodates 40 individuals and is often at full capacity, is nestled in the heart of the city. During mealtime, nine detainees managed to lift a metal plate in the ceiling, creating a passage through a hole they had ingeniously dug. Once in the attic, they removed tiles from the roof and utilized sheets tied together to navigate over an anti-projection net, ultimately fleeing into the streets while eluding the watchful eyes of police officers on duty. Remarkably, only one of the escapees has been recaptured since then.
Concerns Over Detention Center Conditions
Laurent Alcaraz, the departmental delegate of the Alliance Police Nationale union, expressed concerns about the facility’s state: “We are dealing with something that is no longer really suitable, and we are working with the budgets allocated to us.” The building, formerly a barracks and now a police station, is set for demolition, and its deteriorating condition may have contributed to the escape. “The structure dates back to the early 1900s and has undergone several renovations. Clearly, the conditions are inadequate, and there was already a hole in the roof that had been temporarily sealed,” he added. Local residents have voiced their frustrations, with one stating, “It’s loud and chaotic. We’ve been living with this for months. People are often seen communicating over the gate, so I’m not surprised by the escape.”
The escapees, who hail from Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya, have all previously committed offenses but have served their time and are not deemed dangerous. Over the last two years, French authorities have shifted their focus towards detaining individuals released from prison, resulting in an increase in detention duration. Laurent Martin de Frémont, departmental secretary of the UN1TÉ police union, noted, “There is a growing number of foreigners in irregular situations who have gone through the prison system, and we take them into custody afterward. However, repatriating them is often complicated, as their home countries are frequently unwilling to accept them back.”
This incident marks the latest in a series of escapes from administrative detention centers this year. In May, ten individuals escaped from a facility in Hérault, and seven managed to flee from the center in Esquin, located in the North. Within these centers, cells are typically open during the day, with police officers providing oversight, allowing detainees some freedom of movement. Following this escape, two investigations have been initiated—one judicial, led by border police, and the other administrative.