In a recent update on the prison break at Makala prison in Kinshasa, DRC, Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo reported that at least 129 people have died in the incident. The deaths occurred during an escape attempt on Monday, which coincided with a fire that damaged key parts of the prison, including its administrative and infirmary sections.
Lukoo’s statement, released early Tuesday on X, detailed that 24 of the fatalities were caused by gunfire after warnings were issued. Approximately 59 individuals were also injured in the unrest. The fire caused significant damage to the facility.
The minister indicated that he has been holding emergency meetings with defense and security teams, and assured that order has been restored. Makala prison, the largest in the DRC, was designed to hold 1,500 inmates.
Makala prison is currently overcrowded with between 14,000 and 15,000 inmates, predominantly awaiting trial, according to recent figures. The facility has previously faced escape attempts, including a major incident in 2017 when over 4,000 prisoners escaped after an attack by armed assailants.
In response to the recent prison break, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has condemned the incident as a deliberate act of sabotage aimed at disrupting efforts to improve prison conditions. He announced that an investigation is underway to identify and penalize those responsible for the sabotage.
Mutamba also revealed that the transfer of inmates from Makala prison has been halted and that plans are in place to build a new prison to alleviate overcrowding. The President, currently on an official visit to China, has not yet commented on the situation.
