Mass Prison Break Attempt in Kinshasa Leaves 129 Dead, Government Reports

In a tragic incident at Makala Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), at least 129 individuals lost their lives during a mass escape attempt. The event, which occurred approximately one year ago, has brought attention to the ongoing challenges within the DRC's prison system.

Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo reported that the situation was brought under control following the breakout attempt. In addition to the fatalities, 59 people sustained injuries. The minister also noted that a fire had erupted in several prison facilities, including the administrative building, food storage areas, and a hospital.

"The mass escape attempt at Makala central prison resulted in the loss of life and significant material damage."

The attempted breakout took place around 2:00 a.m. local time on a Sunday. Prisoners recounted hearing intense gunfire and the sounds of fellow inmates outside their cells. Initially, a prison official stated that no prisoners had successfully escaped, suggesting that those who attempted to flee had been killed.

Makala Prison, officially known as Centre Pénitentiaire et de Rééducation de Kinshasa, is the largest correctional facility in the DRC. Built in 1958 during the Belgian colonial era, it has a capacity of 1,500 inmates but frequently houses over 8,000 prisoners. This severe overcrowding has led to poor living conditions and increased health risks for inmates.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the DRC's prison system, including inadequate resources, corruption, and a backlog of cases resulting in many inmates being held without trial for extended periods. Human rights organizations have consistently criticized the conditions in DRC prisons, calling for urgent reforms.

This is not the first escape attempt at Makala Prison. A major incident occurred in 2017, underscoring the recurring security issues at the facility. The DRC government has been working on prison reform initiatives, but progress has been slow due to various factors, including political instability and ongoing armed conflicts in the country.

International organizations have been providing support to improve prison conditions in the DRC. However, the recent tragedy at Makala Prison demonstrates that much work remains to be done to address the systemic issues within the country's correctional system.

As investigations into the incident continue, the focus remains on preventing future tragedies and implementing meaningful reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of both inmates and staff in DRC prisons.