Two inmates at the high-security Aghios Stefanos Prison in Patras have been caught trying to dig their way out of the facility, authorities revealed yesterday.

Prison guards discovered an incomplete tunnel after searching the cell where a Greek and an Albanian prisoner were being held. Using makeshift tools, the convicts had allegedly made a hole in the wall under one of the beds in the cell.

Prison guards estimated that the men needed about 20 days to dig their way out of their cell either beyond the prison wall or into an area where they could hide in a vehicle leaving the jail. The pair apparently disposed of the debris in the prison exercise yard. One of the two inmates had tried to escape before, officials said without giving more details about the prisoners.