At least 129 people were killed during a weekend prison break attempt at DR Congo’s largest penitentiary, the interior minister reported on Tuesday.
In a video statement, Jacquemain Shabani revealed, “The provisional death toll stands at 129, with 24 of those killed being shot after warning shots were fired.” He added that at least 59 people were injured in the incident at Makala prison in Kinshasa, the capital.
The ministry further reported that several individuals were crushed or suffocated, and a number of women were raped.
Witnesses told AFP that gunfire erupted at the prison around 2:00 am on Monday and continued for several hours.
