Tragedy struck in Congo’s main prison as 129 people lost their lives in an attempted jailbreak, with most casualties resulting from a stampede. The overcrowded Makala prison in Kinshasa witnessed inmates being shot dead as they tried to escape, with a total of 24 fatalities from warning gunshots, according to Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani.
The facility, designed for 1,500 inmates, currently houses over 12,000 people who are mostly awaiting trial, as highlighted in Amnesty International’s report. Makala prison has experienced previous jailbreaks, including a significant incident in 2017 when a religious group orchestrated the escape of dozens of prisoners.
Gunfire erupted in the prison from Sunday night into Monday morning, contradicting initial reports that downplayed the death toll. Official figures clashed with that of rights activists, emphasizing the need for accurate information dissemination in the wake of such tragedies.
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