Deadly Prison Break Attempt in DR Congo Leaves 129 Dead

In the early hours of Monday, a mass prison break attempt at the Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, resulted in a tragic loss of life. According to Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo Bihango, at least 129 people died in the chaos, including 24 who were shot by security forces after warnings.

The prisoners made a desperate attempt to break free en masse, leading to a prolonged period of gunfire and jostling. Unfortunately, many lives were lost due to suffocation, and some women were raped during the mayhem. Fifty-nine people are currently receiving medical attention for their injuries.

Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene, with gunfire ringing out for several hours and security vehicles later removing bodies from the area. Graphic videos circulating on social media, which have not been verified, show dozens of bloodied corpses and extensive damage to the prison infrastructure.

The interior ministry confirmed that several buildings within the prison complex were destroyed by fires during the attempted break, including offices, the registry, the infirmary, and food depots. A large hole was visible in one exterior wall, and other buildings were left blackened and burnt out.

The government has convened a crisis meeting to address the situation and launched an investigation into the incident. The Makala prison was severely overcrowded, holding over 12,000 inmates despite a capacity of only 1,500. This incident highlights the country’s struggles with prison overcrowding and security.

In response to the incident, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba condemned the prison break attempt as a “pre-meditated act of sabotage.” He has barred public prosecutors from transferring any inmates to Makala prison until further notice and announced measures to tackle overcrowding in the country’s prisons.

Unfortunately, prison breaks are common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with several attacks launched on correctional facilities in recent years. This incident is a stark reminder of the need for urgent reform and investment in the country’s prison system.

source: CNN