In a tragic incident, at least 129 people were killed while trying to escape from the central Makala prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo revealed that 24 individuals were shot dead while others suffocated in the chaos. The attempted breakout occurred on Monday during a fire that damaged the prison’s administrative buildings, including the infirmary.
The overcrowded Makala prison, intended for 1,500 inmates, currently houses between 14,000 and 15,000 detainees, many of whom are awaiting trial. Previous jailbreaks have occurred at the facility, with the most recent one in 2017 resulting in over 4,000 prisoners escaping after an armed attack.
While there has been no public comment from President Felix Tshisekedi, who is currently in China, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba described the incident as a premeditated act of sabotage aimed at hindering efforts to improve prison conditions. Investigations are ongoing to identify and punish those responsible for instigating the breakout.
Efforts to reduce overcrowding and improve conditions in Congolese prisons are underway, with a ban on inmate transfers from Makala prison announced, as well as plans to construct a new facility. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address issues within the country’s prison system to prevent further loss of life.
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