Deadly Chaos: 129 Killed in Congo Prison Break Attempt

Congo Prison Riot Leaves 129 Dead

Official footage from the Interior Ministry exposed the severe destruction...

Deadly prison break at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, DRC, leaves at least 120 dead and 59 injured, highlighting the country's struggles with prison security and overcrowding.

A devastating attempted prison break at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, has left at least 120 people dead, adding to the country's troubling trend of violent jail assaults.

According to the Interior Minister, the chaos unfolded around midnight on Monday, September 2, as inmates attempted a massive escape from the facility, which is the largest prison in the DRC.

He mentioned that, “The provisional human toll stands at 129 dead including 24 by gunshot after warning. The others died by jostling, suffocation and some women were raped.”

In addition to the fatalities, the Interior Minister reported that 59 individuals are currently receiving medical attention for injuries sustained during the attempted prison break.

An eyewitness in Kinshasa described a harrowing scene, recounting that gunfire echoed through the area for several hours. He later witnessed security forces removing bodies from the site, a grim aftermath that was also captured in disturbing videos shared on social media, showing scores of bloodied bodies lying on the ground.

Official footage from the Interior Ministry exposed the severe destruction caused by the attempted prison break, revealing extensive damage to multiple buildings within the facility. The video footage shows a significant breach in one exterior wall, with bricks visibly removed, and other walls charred and gutted by fire, highlighting the intensity of the violence and chaos that ensued.

Footage from inside the prison revealed a trail of destruction, with multiple rooms left in disarray, featuring debris, charred office furniture, and scattered papers. According to the minister, the attempted prison break resulted in the destruction of several key buildings, including offices, the registry, the infirmary, and food depots, which were all ravaged by fires, leaving a scene of utter devastation.

In response to the prison break, the Interior Minister summoned a crisis meeting with the country's defense and security services on Tuesday, September 3, following directives from the highest authorities. He expressed relief that calm has been restored, and noted that investigations into the incident are currently underway, aiming to determine the circumstances and causes of the deadly escape attempt.

Makala prison was severely overcrowded, holding over 12,000 inmates despite its capacity being only 1,500, creating a volatile environment that likely contributed to the attempted jailbreak.

Prison breaks are a recurring issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with numerous attacks on correctional facilities in recent years. Notably, in 2017, more than 50 inmates, including the leader of a religious sect, escaped from Makala prison during an invasion by the group, highlighting the facility's vulnerability to such incidents.

In 2020, a prison break in Beni, northeastern DRC, resulted in the escape of nearly 1,000 inmates, with a rebel group affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claiming responsibility for the attack, further highlighting the country's struggles with prison security and extremist group activity.

Horrific violence accompanied the 2020 prison break in Beni, resulting in the loss of at least 11 lives, including those of security personnel.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's prisons have continued to experience breaches, including at Matadi, one of the country's oldest facilities. In 2021, 189 prisoners escaped, and the following year, another 200 detainees broke free after overpowering the armory and seizing weapons.