An attempted jailbreak at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Congo’s largest penitentiary, resulted in at least 129 deaths, the majority in a stampede, according to authorities. The incident took place early Monday with 24 inmates shot dead by warning shots as they tried to flee the overcrowded facility. The country’s Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani reported 59 injured individuals receiving government care and incidences of women being raped during the events. Despite part of the prison being burned, order has been restored.
Makala Central Prison, designed for 1,500 inmates, currently detains over 12,000 individuals, mostly awaiting trial, as stated in Amnesty International’s recent country report. This is not the first time the prison has experienced a jailbreak, with a previous incident occurring in 2017 when inmates escaped following an attack by a religious group. Gunfire was reported inside the prison from Sunday night into Monday, with conflicting reports initially indicating a smaller number of casualties.
Authorities refuted claims of forced entry into the prison that is situated only 5 kilometers from the presidential palace in the city center. The attempted jailbreak was allegedly planned by inmates within one wing of the facility, stated Deputy Justice Minister Mbemba Kabuya in an interview with local media. Following the incident, access to the prison was restricted, and an investigative panel was convened.
Makala Central Prison is known for severe overcrowding, leading to issues like starvation resulting in deaths, according to activists. Efforts to reduce congestion have seen the release of numerous inmates this year, and plans are underway to construct a new facility. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba labeled the incident as a premeditated act of sabotage and vowed severe repercussions for those involved, along with a ban on inmate transfers as part of measures to address overcrowding.
