Five inmates escaped from a North Carolina jail on Monday, prompting a massive manhunt by law enforcement authorities, according to local reports.

The prisoners cut a hole in a fence at the Nash County Detention Center in Nashville — about 45 miles from Raleigh — and escaped through it, local television station WRAL reported.

The inmates were identified as David Marshal Viverette, 28, David Ruffin Jr., 30, Keonte Daemoan Murphy, 23, Raheem D-Carlos Horne, 25, and Laquaris Rashad Battle, 22.

After the escape, a massive manhunt was launched by police Monday afternoon, the station said.

The prisoners were in jail for a range of crimes, including sexual abuse of a minor.