In a tragic incident in the Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 129 individuals are feared dead following a failed prison break at Makala Prison in Kinshasa.
The prison break, which occurred on Monday night, saw 24 inmates shot dead by authorities, with many others either suffocated or trampled during the chaos.
Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani reported that some female prisoners were assaulted during the unrest. At least 59 people were injured, and significant property damage was reported, including the complete destruction of administrative buildings, the infirmary, and the food depot.
Shabani indicated that while the exact number of casualties is still preliminary, the situation has been brought under control by police and military forces. Prison escapes are a recurring issue in the conflict-ridden country, often involving large groups of inmates.
