SAN JOSE - A group of prisoners in Costa Rica's La Reforma Jail Centre on Wednesday took 15 hostages including an unknown number of civilians and demanded that authorities set up a safe escape route, official sources said.

Justice Minister Fernando Paris confirmed the event and said that he was holding high level meetings with Costa Rica's Security Minister Mario Zamora in order to coordinate actions against the rebel prisoners.

Authorities confirmed that the prisoners have seized the arms of the police personal on duty and said the prisoners also were in possession of two hand grenades which have been delivered to them during visitor's hours.

The hostages are being held face-down on the floor and covered with white sheets and the prisoners have demanded that a safe escape route be opened for them from the prison until the Pacific coast city of Caldera, official sources said.

Costa Rican authorities have established a security perimeter around the entire prison in order to keep curious bystanders on a safe distance from the center.