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 the country's interior minister, Jacquemain Shabani.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at the prison, located in a densely populated and residential area of Kinshasa, the capital city.
The circumstances surrounding the breakout attempt remain unclear, but the death toll has sparked concern and speculation among both officials and the public.
Interior Minister Shabani, in a statement released via video on Tuesday, confirmed the provisional death toll, stating that "24 of the deceased were shot after warnings."
He also reported that 59 individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
Witnesses reported hearing prolonged gunfire beginning around 2:00 am on Monday, which persisted for several hours. The gunfire caused panic in the neighbourhood surrounding the prison, leading to heightened tensions throughout the morning.
Police responded by cordoning off streets leading to the prison, according to AFP journalists at the scene.
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya initially urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that security forces were managing the situation. By Monday afternoon, he announced on national television that the situation was "under control."
However, the interior minister's statement later revealed the grim details of the incident, noting that many of the victims were crushed or suffocated in the chaos.
Additionally, he reported that several women were raped during the disturbance, though he provided no further details regarding their identities.
Makala prison, with an official capacity of 1,500 inmates, currently holds between 14,000 and 15,000 prisoners, nearly ten times its intended capacity. This overcrowding has long been a source of concern, with human rights organizations frequently raising alarms about the dire conditions within the facility.
