129 dead and 59 injured in the Democratic Republic of Congo

At least 129 people died and 59 were injured during an escape attempt in Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government announced on Tuesday. 24 people were shot, the rest died from concussions and suffocation.

Interior and Security Minister Jacquemain Shabani L. revealed the gruesome details in a statement published on “X” and explained that significant material damage had also been caused. “On Monday, September 2, 2024, the escape attempt at Makala Central Prison resulted in numerous casualties and significant material damage,” Shabani said. “On the instructions of higher authorities, I have called an emergency meeting with the heads of the defense and security services.”

Shabani pointed out that in addition to the fatalities, 59 people were injured and taken into government custody. There were also reports of some women being raped. He also mentioned that administrative buildings, including the registry, the health clinic and food depots, were destroyed by fire.

The minister assured the public that calm had been restored and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. The investigation into the incident is ongoing and updates will be provided as more details become available.

A government spokesman and the Minister of Communications and Media had previously announced the escape attempt on “X” and called on the people of Kinshasa to remain calm while security services worked to restore order.

Makala Prison, the largest in the country, houses between 14,000 and 15,000 inmates, far exceeding its capacity of 1,500. This is not the first incident at the facility; in 2017, over 4,000 prisoners escaped in a nighttime raid, according to Al Jazeera.

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