Police have launched a desperate manhunt for a prisoner who fled while attending a his brother’s funeral in Melbourne.

Orijol Rukaj, 47, was supervised by corrections officers when he attended Keilor Cemetery in the city’s north-east about 1.30pm on Saturday.

Police allege the inmate escaped during the service and left the cemetery undetected.

It’s understood he was attending the funeral of his brother Sokol Rukaj, a well-known figure in Melbourne’s Albanian community and a stalwart of the North Sunshine Eagles FC, Outlaw Media reported.

Rukaj is described as Caucasian, 170cm tall with short shaved black hair and a solid build.

He was last seen wearing a white shirt, black suit and Asics runners.

He is known to frequent the Sunbury and St Albans areas.

An urgent manhunt is underway for escapee Orijol Rukaj

The innate escaped while attending a funeral at Keilor Cemetery in Melbourne’s north-east

Rukaj is not believed to be violent but members of the public are urged to call triple-zero immediately if they see him.

Anyone with other information about his whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers.