At least 129 individuals have lost their lives following a failed jailbreak at the Makala prison in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to government reports. The tragic incident, which occurred early Monday morning, resulted in numerous fatalities, with many victims succumbing to injuries sustained in a chaotic stampede.
The Congolese Interior Minister, Jacquemin Shabani, reported on Tuesday that 24 inmates were shot dead by prison guards who fired “warning” shots to prevent the escape. The Makala prison, the largest in Congo, was already overcrowded, housing over 12,000 inmates despite its designed capacity of 1,500. This severe overcrowding has been a persistent issue, contributing to the prison’s previous escape attempts, including one in 2017 involving a religious sect.
Gunfire erupted inside the facility around midnight, sparking panic among the inmates. Early reports had suggested only two deaths, but rights activists quickly disputed these figures, indicating a much higher toll. The chaotic nature of the escape attempt led to a stampede, which exacerbated the number of casualties.
Amnesty International’s latest report on Congo highlights the dire conditions within Makala prison, noting the significant overcrowding and ongoing challenges in the penal system. The prison has experienced several incidents of violence and escape attempts in the past, reflecting broader issues within the country’s correctional facilities.
The government is conducting further investigations to ascertain the full extent of the incident and to address the underlying issues contributing to such outbreaks of violence.
Sources By Agencies
