An attempted jailbreak at the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Makala prison has resulted in a tragic death toll of at least 129 people, according to Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, has also left at least 59 others wounded.
The jailbreak attempt at Kinshasa’s largest and notoriously overcrowded prison began in the early morning hours, with witnesses reporting prolonged gunfire lasting several hours. The Makala prison, located in a densely populated residential area, was quickly surrounded by police, and streets leading to the facility were cordoned off.
In a statement released via video, Interior Minister Shabani provided a provisional death toll of 129, including 24 individuals who were reportedly shot after being given warnings. The chaos and violence also resulted in numerous injuries, with many inmates reportedly crushed or suffocated during the attempted escape. Additionally, the minister noted that a number of women had been raped during the incident, though details about their identities and the circumstances were not disclosed.
The scale of the tragedy highlights the dire conditions within Makala prison, which was originally designed to house 1,500 inmates but currently accommodates between 14,000 and 15,000 prisoners. This overcrowding, which is about ten times the facility’s intended capacity, has long been a source of concern and contributes to the volatile environment within the prison.
Following the incident, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya initially assured the public that the security services were managing the situation and urged residents not to panic. Later, he confirmed that the situation was “under control,” though the details of the incident remained unclear for several hours.
The Makala prison, often cited for its overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, has faced numerous challenges over the years, including frequent riots and attempted escapes. This latest incident underscores the urgent need for prison reform and improved conditions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The international community and human rights organizations have long criticized the prison system in the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling for reforms to address the systemic issues of overcrowding and inadequate facilities. The response to this recent incident will likely involve scrutiny of the prison’s management and calls for urgent reform to address the underlying issues contributing to such violent outbreaks.
As investigations into the jailbreak attempt continue, the focus will be on understanding the circumstances that led to the tragedy and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences. The loss of life and the injuries sustained during the incident have sent shockwaves through the country and beyond, drawing attention to the critical need for addressing the severe overcrowding and improving conditions in the nation’s prisons.
