The Post Courier reports that 16 prisoners escaped from Buimo jail in PNG's second city of Lae.
The prisoners made a dash for freedom during the morning visiting hour at the facility.
A 17th prisoner who tried to escape was shot dead by a prison guard.
A separate guard was killed, although details around the correctional services officer's death are not known.
The acting Lae Metropolitan Police Commander, Chris Kunyanban, has issued a warning to the Lae public about the escapees.
