129 Killed in Congo Prison Escape Attempt

A failed jailbreak attempt at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in at least 129 fatalities, including 24 inmates shot by guards and many others who died from suffocation during a stampede. The prison, designed for 1,500 but currently housing over 15,000, has faced severe overcrowding issues for years. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots and witnessing security forces removing bodies after the incident early Monday morning. Additionally, 59 individuals were reported injured, and there were incidents of sexual assaults against women during the chaos. Despite initial government reports stating only two deaths, Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani later acknowledged the higher toll, and an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak. The event has sparked renewed scrutiny on prison conditions in the DRC, as rights activists claim the situation is dire and inhumane.