Failed Prison Break Leaves 129 Dead In DRC’s Largest Penitentiary
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) say at least 129 people were killed while attempting to flee the central Makala prison in the capital Kinshasa.
Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo said in a statement posted on X early Tuesday that prisoners attempted to break out on Monday while the building’s administrative buildings, including the infirmary, were on fire.
Communication du Vice-Premier, Ministre de l'Intérieur, Sécurité, Décentralisation et Affaires Coutumières SHABANI LUKOO sur la tentative d'évasion à la prison centrale de Makala. pic.twitter.com/8E0X2JejrU
— Ministère de l'Intérieur de la R.D Congo (@VPM_MINTERSECAC) September 3, 2024
“The provisional toll is 129 dead, including 24 by gunfire, after warning,” Lukoo said in a statement posted on X, adding that some 59 people were injured.
He claimed there was “significant material damage.” Lukoo stated that he was having a “crisis” meeting with the defence and security services, but that calm had been restored.
Makala is the DRC’s largest prison, with a capacity of 1,500 inmates.
Official figures indicate that it currently has between 14,000 and 15,000 detainees.
The majority of them are awaiting trial, according to Amnesty International’s most recent country report on the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
#RDC Pendant que #Tshisekedi se réjouit du voyage en #Chine , un massacre se produit dans la prison centrale de #Makala à #Kinshasa suite à une tentative d'évasion. Comme à l'accoutumée, ça commence à crier "les Rwandais !" Dans ce pays de Lumumba on voit du Rwandais dans tout. pic.twitter.com/kYXrsfGGAg
— MMJCL (@murmpa85) September 2, 2024
The prison has had previous jailbreaks, including one in 2017 when more than 4,000 prisoners escaped after being attacked by armed men at night.
Authorities had been working to reduce overcrowding, releasing dozens of inmates in recent months.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who is on an official visit to China, has made no public comment on Monday’s incident.
❗️🇨🇩 – 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 Informant (@theinformant_x) September 3, 2024
The official explained that more than 100 of the deaths were due to a stampede or asphyxiation. pic.twitter.com/9GfyZBEKoM
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba described the attack as a “premeditated act of sabotage” intended to undermine efforts to improve the conditions in prisons.
“Investigations are underway to identify and severely punish those who instigated these acts of sabotage. They will receive a stern response,” Mutamba said.
He also announced a ban on the transfer of inmates from the prison and stated that authorities would construct a new prison, among other measures to alleviate crowding.
Failed Prison Break Leaves 129 Dead In DRC’s Largest Penitentiary
