KINSHASA (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo’s authorities stated no less than 129 individuals have been killed whereas attempting to flee from the central Makala jail within the capital Kinshasa late on Sunday, including that the scenario was now beneath management.
In an announcement posted on X early on Tuesday, Inside Minister Shabani Lukoo stated a hearth had additionally damaged out within the jail’s administrative constructing, its meals depots and a hospital. Some 59 individuals have been wounded, he added.
“The mass escape attempt at Makala central prison resulted in the loss of life and significant material damage,” he stated within the video assertion.
Earlier, a jail official had stated no prisoners had succeeded in escaping, including that those that tried to flee had been killed. The federal government was investigating the incident.
The escape try occurred round 2:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Sunday. Prisoners advised Reuters that they had heard heavy gunfire, in addition to sounds of prisoners exterior.