Inmate Escapes Bois-Mermet Prison in Lausanne Sparks Police Manhunt

An inmate born in 1991 escaped from the Bois-Mermet prison in Lausanne on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a large-scale manhunt by the Vaud cantonal police, according to regional media reports confirmed by law enforcement.

Police Deployment and Public Safety Measures

The escape occurred at approximately 16:00 on August 11, 2026, according to reporting from 24 Heures and Blick. Following the breach, the Vaud cantonal police deployed a significant operational presence around the perimeter of the penal institution, including the use of a surveillance drone to track the fugitive.

According to Blick, a local resident living near the prison reported seeing a man running along the exterior fence shortly before emergency services flooded the area. That same resident stated that authorities instructed neighbors to stay indoors while the initial tracking operation unfolded. Despite the active manhunt, police officials assured the public that residents face no immediate danger.

Ongoing Investigation Into the Escape

As of late Tuesday, the exact mechanisms and circumstances surrounding how the prisoner managed to exit the Bois-Mermet facility remain unconfirmed by authorities. Both 24 Heures and Blick confirmed that law enforcement agencies are continuing their sweep of the sector, while emphasizing that the operation remains fluid as officers follow up on leads and witness accounts from the neighborhood surrounding the penitentiary.