At least 129 individuals have been reported dead following a mass escape attempt at the Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Monday, highlights the ongoing crisis within the country's overcrowded correctional facilities.
The dramatic events began around 2 a.m. local time, as inmates launched a coordinated effort to break free from what is described as the largest prison in the DR Congo. According to Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani Lukoo, "The provisional human toll stands at 129 dead including 24 by gunshot after warning. The others died by jostling, suffocation, and some women were raped." The minister also reported that 59 individuals are receiving medical care as a result of the chaos.
The scale of the tragedy was exacerbated by extensive damage to the prison's infrastructure. Videos and images circulating on social media, though unverified, depict scenes of devastation, including burnt buildings and ransacked offices. The fire, which engulfed administrative buildings, food depots, and an infirmary, has compounded the already dire situation.
The Makala Central Prison, designed to hold 1,500 inmates, was severely overcrowded, housing over 12,000 prisoners at the time of the incident, according to Amnesty International. This overcrowding is a longstanding issue, contributing to the high tension within the facility. The prison's conditions are further compounded by reports of inmates suffering from starvation and poor living conditions.
- An escape attempt in a prison in Kinshasa in the Republic of the Congo left 129 dead and 59 injured, reported Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior, Shabani Lukoo.
The official explained that more than 100 of the deaths were due to a stampede or asphyxiation. pic.twitter.com/9GfyZBEKoM — The Informant (@theinformant_x) September 3, 2024
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and violence during the escape attempt. Kinshasa resident Daddi Soso recounted, "Gunfire rang out for several hours during the incident and I later saw security vehicles removing bodies from the scene." The sound of gunfire and the intensity of the violence have drawn attention to the security and management challenges facing DR Congo's prison system.
The attempted breakout was met with a swift response from the Congolese government. A crisis meeting was convened, and efforts are underway to restore order and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba condemned the attempt as a "premeditated act of sabotage" and vowed a stern response against those responsible.
Previous incidents of jailbreaks have plagued the DR Congo's prison system. In 2017, a similar incident occurred when a religious sect's attack led to the escape of numerous inmates from Makala. Another notable breakout in 2020 saw nearly 1,000 inmates freed from a prison in Beni, claimed by a rebel group linked to ISIS. Such incidents underscore the recurrent issues of security and control within the country's correctional facilities.
