Over 200 prisoners escaped from a high-security jail in Pakistan's port city of Karachi after chaos erupted following an earthquake, a minister said on Tuesday.

According to PTI, hundreds of prisoners broke down the doors of their cells after they felt tremors at Malir Jail in Karachi, which was hit by three low-intensity earthquakes on Monday.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul Hasan Lanjhar confirmed on Tuesday that 216 prisoners had escaped from the jail. He further added that 78 prisoners were recaptured within 24 hours.