A deadly prison break attempt in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, has left 129 people dead. Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani revealed that 24 inmates died from bullet wounds after warning shots were fired. Most others suffocated in a crash during the chaotic breakout at Makala Prison.
The government initially downplayed the incident, reporting only two deaths. However, eyewitnesses and graphic videos revealed the true extent of the tragedy. Resident Daddi Soso described hearing gunshots from 1 am to 5 am and seeing security forces remove bodies.
Minister Shabani acknowledged the incident on social media, commending security forces for containing the situation. He noted that 60 others were severely injured and hospitalized. The prison’s administration and registry offices caught fire, causing material damage.
Rights groups demand an international investigation into the incident. Footage shows a massive hole in the prison wall, charred buildings, and papers scattered across the floor. Makala Prison, built in the 1950s, was overcrowded with over 14,000 inmates, despite a capacity of 1,500.
Poor conditions, including food shortages and lack of hygiene, have long plagued the prison. In 2020, a prison official reported that people were dying due to these conditions. Only 6% of prisoners were serving sentences, while others languished in the slow legal system.
The justice minister promises to address prison overcrowding. This incident highlights the urgent need for reform. The government must take responsibility for the tragic events and work towards preventing such incidents in the future.
