A probe was ordered on Wednesday into the foiled jailbreak bid at South Goa's Sada sub-jail late on Tuesday, in which one inmate died, a senior officer said.

Several people, including jail guards, were injured during the attempted escape, the officer added.

Speaking to reporters Additional Inspector General of Police Siddhivinayak Naik said: "Yes, a probe has been ordered into the incident."

Deputy Superintendent of Police Lawrence D'Souza said inmate Vinayak Korbatkar died due to severe stab injuries which he received in the melee.

"He was declared dead on arrival at a hospital," the officer said.

Korbatkar was involved in the stabbing of another criminal, Ashpak Bengre, earlier in 2017.

South Goa Collector Swapnil Naik told reporters that the incident happened on the eve of shifting prisoners to the newly constructed Colvale Central jail, 15 km north of Panaji.

"The escape attempt took place after a fight broke out between two groups in the jail. They later attacked our jail guards and tried to escape from the main gate. But they were stopped by police," Naik said.

Late on Tuesday night, 45 prisoners and undertrials attempted to escape from the sub-jail, located 40 km from Panaji, after assaulting jail guards. The sub-jail is under repair.

Nine prisoners and four guards were treated for minor injuries at a government-run facility.