Tragedy at Democratic Republic of Congo Prison: At Least 129 Killed in Weekend Break Attempt

A devastating prison break attempt at the largest jail in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Makala prison in Kinshasa, has left at least 129 people dead, according to the country’s interior minister, Jacquemain Shabani. The minister confirmed the provisional human toll on Tuesday, adding that at least 24 people were shot after warnings and 59 others were wounded.

The deadly violence began early on Monday morning, with witnesses reporting gunfire lasting for several hours. The authorities have revealed that several people were crushed or suffocated during the chaos, and a number of women were reportedly raped.

Electrician Daddi Soso, who lives in the capital, witnessed the aftermath of the violence, stating that he saw security force vehicles taking bodies away in the early hours. The authorities have not provided information on how many inmates escaped or attempted to escape during the prison break.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the government has claimed that the situation is "under control." Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya made the announcement on national television on Monday morning.

The tragic incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s justice system.