Eight Venezuelan nationals remain on the run after escaping from the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Trinidad on Saturday.

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the escape occurred at approximately 3:40 pm.

Police said detention officers investigating a strong smell of smoke coming from the male housing unit were confronted by a group of detainees, who allegedly assaulted and overpowered them.

During the incident, 14 male detainees escaped from the housing unit before fleeing the facility through the western side of the compound and over the southern perimeter fence.

An alarm was immediately raised, triggering a rapid response by law enforcement officers.

Police said four of the escapees were recaptured within minutes—two while attempting to climb the perimeter fence and two outside the compound.

A fifth detainee was arrested at approximately 6:40am on Sunday along the Eastern Main Road in Wallerfield by officers from the Air Support Unit and the Northern North Task Force before being returned to the detention centre.

The remaining eight detainees still at large have been identified as Luis Brito, Jose Brito, Roimer Duran, Edison Monroy, Felix Espanol, Edison La Rosa, Evereth Ramirez, and Ernesto Jose Figuera Caicedo.

The TTPS said a coordinated search involving the Northern North CID, Northern North Task Force, Air Support Unit, Inter-Agency Task Force, Canine Unit, Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service K-9 Unit, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Special Investigations Unit, Guard and Emergency Branch, Immigration Division and other agencies remains ongoing.

The operation is being led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin, Assistant Commissioner of Police Vena Butler and Superintendent Steve McKenzie.

Police warned that anyone who knowingly harbours, conceals, transports or otherwise assists the escapees could face arrest and prosecution.

Members of the public with information on the whereabouts of any of the men are urged to contact police via 999, 555, 800-TIPS, or the nearest police station.