129 Killed in Congo Prison Break Attempt

At least 129 people were killed during a mass escape attempt at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo. The casualties included 24 who were shot by authorities, while others died from suffocation in the chaos. The incident escalated with a fire breaking out in the prison's administrative building and food depots, injuring 59 individuals. The government has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred early on Monday morning. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba condemned the event as a 'premeditated act of sabotage' and announced a ban on inmate transfers from the prison, which is severely overcrowded with approximately 14,000 to 15,000 detainees. Observers note that this incident underscores the ongoing issues within the country's penal system, which has a history of jailbreaks and overcrowding.