The details surrounding the attempted breakout remain unclear.
An attempted jailbreak at Makala prison, the largest and most overcrowded detention facility in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has resulted in the deaths of at least 129 people, according to Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani.
The incident took place early Monday morning at the prison, situated in a densely populated area of Kinshasa, the capital city.
The exact details of the breakout attempt remain unclear, but the high death toll has raised alarm and speculation among officials and the public.
In a video statement released on Tuesday, Minister Shabani confirmed the provisional death toll and noted that “24 of the deceased were shot after warnings.” He also reported that 59 people were injured and are receiving medical treatment.
Witnesses described hearing prolonged gunfire starting around 2:00 am on Monday, which continued for several hours, causing panic in the surrounding neighborhood and increasing tensions throughout the morning.
Police responded by sealing off streets leading to the prison, as reported by AFP journalists at the scene.
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya initially called for calm, assuring residents that security forces were handling the situation. By Monday afternoon, he announced on national television that the situation was “under control.”
However, further details revealed by the interior minister later showed the grim realities of the incident, including reports that many victims were crushed or suffocated amid the chaos. Additionally, several women were reportedly raped during the disturbance, though no further information was provided about their identities.
Makala prison, which has an official capacity of 1,500 inmates, is currently overcrowded with approximately 14,000 to 15,000 prisoners, nearly ten times its intended capacity. This severe overcrowding has long been a critical issue, with human rights organizations frequently highlighting the appalling conditions within the facility.
