At least 129 people were killed in an attempted breakout of Makala prison in the Congolese capital Kinshasa on Sunday evening. According to the authorities, 24 of them were shot; the rest are said to have been trampled or suffocated.
Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani on Platform X about the riot on Monday night. “Investigations are underway to identify and severely punish the perpetrators of these acts of sabotage. They will receive a harsh response,” Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said. Some female prisoners were raped during the incident, Shabani said. At least 59 people were also injured. Police and the army managed to bring the outbreak of violence under control.
Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said Monday morning: “The people of Kinshasa are urged not to panic.” Makala prison is the country’s largest detention center. It is notorious for its overcrowding and poor conditions for prisoners.
Damage in prison enormous
According to Shabani, the number of casualties is preliminary. Investigations would continue. The interior minister said that the material damage caused was also significant. The prison’s administrative buildings, the infirmary, the registry office and the food depot were completely burned down. Security forces held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss further measures.
Prison escapes are common in the conflict-torn Central African country, with hundreds of prisoners often escaping together.
Source: Krone
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