Prison Blast 'Kills Two' In South Africa

An explosion near a prison in South Africa's main city, Johannesburg, has killed at least two people and injured 15 others, police say. The explosion happened in a police van bringing 36 prisoners to the Johannesburg Central prison, a police spokesman said. Two prisoners escaped but were recaptured, the spokesman said. The police are at the scene of the blast, and the wounded have been rushed to hospital under heavy guard. The BBC's Nomsa Maseko in Johannesburg says police are investigating a case of murder and illegal possession of weapons. The explosion took place just metres from the prison, as the van carrying the prisoners returned from court in Randburg, about 40km (25 miles) away, our reporter adds. Police spokesperson Neville Malila said the driver heard a loud bang just outside the prison, South Africa's Eyewitness News reports on its website. "There was an explosion in the vehicle. Two of the prisoners managed to escape, but they were rearrested," he is quoted as saying.