Inmates overpowered correctional staff and took over parts of a jail in North Carolina on Monday.

Multiple agencies responded to a “significant disturbance” at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center around 5 a.m.

88 inmates and three guards were inside the facility when the incident began.

Two guards were taken hostage, while one managed to escape.

Watch below:

WCNC shared further:

The North Carolina SBI confirmed the incident ended safely just before 2 p.m. All inmates and jail staff members are safe and accounted for. Inmates are being transferred to other facilities for housing. The detention center wil remain secured while damage to the building is assessed.

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“Our top priority is the safety of our staff, inmates, and the surrounding community,” Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin stated. He noted that multiple law enforcement partners are being coordinated to resolve the situation as swiftly and safely as possible.

A secure perimeter has been established around the detention center, and authorities are urging the public to steer clear of the area during operations. Officials confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the general public.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the response include the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, NC SBI, NC ALE, FBI, and multiple local sheriff’s offices.

“The situation at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center earlier this morning has ended. The FBI SWAT, FBI Hostage Rescue Team, and @SBI1937 cleared the facility. All inmates and staff are safe and accounted for, and those who sustained injuries received treatment,” FBI Charlotte stated.

“Inmates were transferred to other facilities for housing, and the detention center will remain secured while personnel assess the extent of the damage. The public is asked to avoid the area as crews continue working to clear the scene,” it added.

More from the Associated Press:

Authorities have not addressed why there were only three guards overseeing the jail at the time of the takeover.

Ruffin did not indicate what caused the takeover.

“Right now we have a lot going on that we’re trying to get under control,” he said. “I will release that information to the public as soon as I can.”

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