Congo Prison Break Attempt Leaves 129 Dead

The government in the Democratic Republic of Congo deplored a loss of lives after an attempted jail break overnight from the country's biggest prison.

At least 129 people were killed while trying to escape from the central Makala prison in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government said.

Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo Bihango said a fire had also broken out in the jail’s administrative building, its food depots and a hospital. Some 59 people were wounded, he added.

“On the material level, we deplore the fire in the administrative buildings of the registry, the infirmary and the food stocks. The government is pleased with the restored calm, condemns these unfortunate incidents and presents its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Investigations are continuing and the public will be informed of the outcome.” he said.

The situation was now under control and investigations were ongoing, the government said.

While witnesses spoke of having heard gunshots, authorities have not given any figures or information on prisoners who managed to escape.

Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said on X that "inquiries are under way to identify and severely punish the sponsors of these acts of sabotage."

He also announced the transfer of prisoners to the prison was being suspended until further notice.

Earlier, a prison official had said no prisoners had succeeded in escaping, adding that those who tried to escape had been killed.

Makala prison, whose capacity is for 1,500 prisoners, holds between 14,000 and 15,000 detainees, according to official figures.

In 2017, more than 4,000 prisoners escaped from the facility after an attack by armed men at night.