Macau prison boss hurt in gun attack

A senior Macau jailer was in a critical condition last night after being shot in the face and shoulder - the fourth shooting in the past three days.

Chan Shek-chun was attacked as he returned to his home in the Cheong Fok Building, Estrada do Repouso, from Macau Central Prison on Coloane Island where he is deputy chief warder.

The gunman fired three shots while Mr Chan was on the staircase leading to his home.

Two of the bullets hit the 48-year-old warder, who was taken to Kiang Wu Hospital nearby.

In recent months, Coloane prison, which houses 700 inmates including the reputed head of Macau's 14K triad society, 'Broken Tooth' Wan Kuok-koi, has seen fatal brawls and its warders have been the subject of murderous attacks.

Inmates are said to be unhappy with the tightened security arrangements at the jail.