A tragic incident unfolded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 129 people lost their lives during an attempted prison break at the Makala prison in the capital city, Kinshasa. The chaos erupted on Monday night and resulted in severe casualties and damage.
Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani confirmed the death toll on Tuesday, stating that security forces shot dead 24 inmates who were trying to escape. Additionally, dozens of others were either suffocated or trampled to death in the ensuing panic.
Amid the chaos, there were also reports of sexual violence, with some female prisoners being raped. The total number of injured individuals stands at 59. The police and military forces eventually managed to regain control of the situation, but not before significant damage had been done.
The destruction included the burning of administrative buildings, the prison infirmary, and the food depot. The number of casualties is considered preliminary as authorities continue to assess the situation.
Prison breaks are not uncommon in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that has been plagued by ongoing conflict and instability. These incidents often result in mass escapes, contributing to the challenges faced by the nation’s security forces.
In response to the incident, an emergency meeting was convened by security officials on Tuesday to address the situation and explore measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
