Ancient, historic escape tunnel site (Baler, Aurora, Philippines)Memorial and marker of Ermita Hill chapel and the ancient viewing point and tunnel
An escape tunnel is a form of secret passage used as part of an escape from siege or captivity. In medieval times such tunnels were usually constructed by the builders of castles or palaces who wished to have an escape route if their domains were under attack. Prisoners have dug escape tunnels to flee captivity.
In road and rail tunnels, narrower escape tunnels are provided to enable people to escape on foot in the event of a fire or other accident. For example, between the two main bores of the Channel Tunnel is an access tunnel large enough for a fire engine.
Medieval escape tunnels
Throughout the British Isles and much of northern Europe, escape tunnels were often part of the intrinsic designs of fortified houses and palaces. They were typically one half to two kilometers long, opening in a location not readily visible to attackers. Examples are at Muchalls Castle (Scotland) and the Bishops Palace at Exeter (England).
Prison escapes
Successful escapes
The following escapes were at least a partial success, with prisoners escaping via tunnels:
Escapee: Mexican drug lord Joaquín Guzmán Loera,[4] "El Chapo Guzmán", who originally was captured in 1993 in Guatemala and escaped from a Mexican federal maximum-security prison in 2001.[5] He was rearrested by Mexican authorities on 22 February 2014 in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México, but escaped on July 11, 2015.
Unsuccessful escapes
Prisoners at Camp Bucca, a U.S.-run prison in Iraq, completed their tunnelling but did not make their bid for freedom, with the tunnel being discovered in March 2005.[6]
