Belgian authorities launched a large-scale manhunt on Tuesday after a prisoner escaped from a hospital in Bruges, the historic medieval city on Belgium's northwest coast, while being treated for a medical procedure. The fugitive, identified as 31-year-old Alaouidi Djabrailov, remains at large despite an extensive search involving police helicopters and tracker dogs.

Djabrailov, a Russian national held at Bruges prison on charges of violent robbery, seized an opportunity to escape during a change of clothing at AZ Sint-Jan hospital. According to the hospital's director, handcuffs are removed one at a time during such clothing changes, and Djabrailov used the moment to grab a sharp object — the origin of which remains unclear. He then used it to threaten prison guards, forcing them to hand over the keys to his handcuffs before fleeing on foot through a car park, as captured on security camera footage.

Police issued a public alert with a description of the suspect, warning residents not to approach him directly. At the time of his escape, Djabrailov was wearing a black shorts, a light-coloured polo shirt, and sports shoes, and police noted he was clean-shaven. Authorities said he had previously attempted to escape from Ghent prison, suggesting a pattern of behaviour that will likely raise questions about security protocols during medical transfers.

The hospital was temporarily evacuated following the incident but was subsequently cleared and reopened. AZ Sint-Jan warned patients that appointments could face delays due to the continued presence of security services on site.

The case highlights a recurring vulnerability in the prison system: the handling of detainees during medical transfers. The moment when restraints must be temporarily loosened presents an inherent security risk, and this latest incident — coming after at least one previous escape attempt by the same individual — is likely to intensify scrutiny of how Belgian authorities manage high-risk prisoners outside of secure facilities.