More than 120 dead in DRC's massive prison break

According to officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a tragic incident occurred at the Makala facility in Kinshasa, resulting in the loss of 129 lives during a failed jailbreak.

According to the security minister, a tragic incident unfolded in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the early hours of Monday, resulting in the loss of over 120 lives. These individuals were attempting to flee prison when the unfortunate event occurred.

According to Jacquemain Shabani's post on X, a tragic incident unfolded at Makala prison in Kinshasa.

The escape attempt resulted in the loss of 129 lives and left 59 individuals injured. According to the speaker, 24 individuals tragically lost their lives due to gunfire.

At the same time, the remaining victims perished in a stampede amidst the chaotic situation.

According to his account, a devastating fire ravaged the prison, reducing the administrative buildings, registry, hospital, and food depots to ashes.

According to Shabani, the situation is being managed, and investigations are underway. Top officials from the defense and security services have been summoned for an urgent meeting.

The number of inmates who escaped or attempted to do so was not disclosed.

According to witnesses, gunfire was heard around 2 am on Monday and continued for several hours in the vicinity of the prison.

According to Daddi Soso, an electrician, he witnessed security force vehicles removing bodies during the early hours.

Footage shared on various social media platforms depicted lifeless bodies strewn across the ground, prison structures in ruins, some of them engulfed in flames, and billowing smoke emanating from the facility.

According to government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, an escape attempt took place at the prison on Monday.

According to the DRC justice minister, Constant Mutamba, the recent jailbreak attempt was characterized as "premeditated acts of sabotage."

He also mentioned that investigations are being conducted to identify and "severely punish" the individuals responsible for instigating the incident.

The Makala prison is the largest in the country. According to Amnesty International, the facility, originally designed to accommodate 1,500 prisoners, was found to be housing over 12,000 individuals as of October last year.

The majority of these individuals were awaiting trial.

In 2017, a staggering number of prisoners, surpassing half of the population, managed to escape when armed individuals infiltrated the facility under the cover of darkness.

Tragically, over 80 lives were lost in the incident.