Nearly 250 Vietnamese drug addicts escaped from a rehabilitation center in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang on Saturday, most of whom returned to the facility on the afternoon of the following day.

The breakout occurred at the rehab center managed by the provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs in Tam Hiep Commune, Chau Thanh District, which houses more than 650 drug addicts.

A total of 224 escapees returned to the venue on Sunday, Pham Minh Tri, director of the Tien Giang labor department, confirmed later the same day, adding that 18 others were still absent.

Many of the escapees were taken back to the center by force, while others decided to come back after being convinced by their family members, according to news website VnExpress.

The situation arose from a confrontation between a group of ten drug addicts and some detention officers, Tri said.

A group of drug addicts are apprehended after breaking out of the center on August 11, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

After injuring an officer, the gang started inciting others to break out of the center.

Upon escaping from the facility, more than 250 drug addicts stirred up chaos in the nearby neighborhood.

Some of the escapees also stole clothes, bicycles, and motorbikes from local residents.

The provincial labor department coordinated with the provincial police department to promptly control the situation at the rehab center and search for the escapees.

Many of those who had returned to the center complained that their schedule and living conditions at the venue were too harsh.

According to Tri, managers of the rehab center will try to resolve existing conflicts and disagreements within the facility to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!