129 People Killed in Failed Prison Break in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The interior minister revealed that several prisoners were raped at the country’s largest prison, which houses over 12,000 male and female inmates.
At least 129 individuals lost their lives following a failed jailbreak at Makala prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The incident at Makala, situated in Kinshasa, the capital, also resulted in 59 injuries.
Shabani reported that in the early hours of Sept. 2, a group of inmates attempted to break out of the prison. A preliminary assessment showed that 24 individuals were killed by warning shots fired by the guards.
He also noted, “There are 59 injured individuals under government care, as well as instances of women being raped.”
However, it remains uncertain if all of the 129 deceased were prisoners.
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Human rights activists anticipate a higher final death toll.
Opposition leader Martin Fayulu alleged that there were “summary executions” and demanded that this “unacceptable crime” be punished.
Makala, designed for 1,500 individuals, currently holds over 12,000 inmates, both male and female, making it the largest prison in D.R. Congo.
The organization described the conditions in the country’s prisons as “appalling,” highlighting issues such as lack of drinking water, inadequate medical care, and starvation leading to fatalities.
Shabani confirmed that order has been restored at Makala, but noted that a part of the facility caught fire during the unrest.
Significant damage was reported to the prison’s administrative building, food storage areas, and a hospital.
The country’s president, Felix Tshisekedi, currently in China on an official visit, has not commented on the incident.
Deputy justice minister Mbemba Kabuya informed a local radio station in Kinshasa that the jailbreak was orchestrated by inmates in one of the wings.
Prior to this, a prison official stated that none of the inmates managed to escape.
Witnesses recounted hearing intense gunfire and saw inmates outside the downtown prison, located three miles from the presidential palace.
Local resident Stéphane Matondo recalled, “Shots were ringing out everywhere.”
He mentioned that gunfire was heard on Sunday night with military vehicles arriving soon after, blocking access to the prison.
Videos Show Dead Bodies
Videos shared on social media depicted bodies scattered within the prison.
In recent months, several prisoners were released to alleviate the chronic overcrowding at Makala.
In 2017, members of a religious sect raided Makala, freeing numerous inmates.
The sect’s leader, Ne Muanda Nsemi of the Bundu Dia Kongo sect, was among those who escaped. Nsemi was recaptured in 2020 and passed away last year at the age of 77.
The Makala incident stands as one of the deadliest prison tragedies in history.
In June 1986, over 244 individuals perished as incarcerated members of the Maoist rebel group, Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path), rebelled in three prisons in Peru.
The Peruvian government deployed the armed forces to quell the uprising at Lurigancho and El Fronton prisons and a women’s facility at Santa Bárbara.
In 1992, Brazilian military police intervened in a riot at Carandiru prison in Sao Paulo, resulting in the deaths of 111 inmates.
In the aftermath, a Brazilian court sentenced 15 prison officers for their involvement in the so-called Carandiru massacre.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
