A tragic incident occurred at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Monday, leaving at least 129 people dead. The incident unfolded during a mass escape attempt, with authorities confirming that 24 individuals died from gunshot wounds.
Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo, in a statement released on X, explained that the remaining casualties perished due to suffocation or being trampled in the ensuing chaos. He also mentioned that a fire erupted, engulfing the prison’s administrative building, food storage facilities, and a hospital. The blaze resulted in injuries to approximately 59 people.
In a video message, Minister Lukoo stated that the failed escape attempt at Makala Central Prison had resulted in significant loss of life and considerable material damage. He assured the public that an investigation into the incident was underway.
Initial reports from Reuters, citing a prison official, suggested that none of the inmates had managed to escape. Prisoners recounted hearing heavy gunfire and the sounds of other inmates outside the prison walls. The tragic incident highlights the precarious conditions and security concerns within the prison system in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
