Iraqi officials are searching for at least eight inmates who escaped from a prison south of Baghdad following clashes at the facility that left at least five people dead.

The prisoners escaped from a jail in the city of Hilla late Friday after some inmates seized weapons from guards and set jail cells on fire.

The French News Agency quotes a provincial council member as saying the escapees are senior members of al-Qaida and Shi'ite militias who had received death sentences.

Officials say the situation at the prison is now under control.