129 Killed in Attempted Kinshasa Jailbreak

An attempted jailbreak at the overcrowded Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, resulted in at least 129 deaths and 59 injuries. The fatalities included 24 inmates shot by guards' 'warning' gunshots and others who died in a stampede, with reports of some female inmates being raped amid the chaos. The prison, built for 1,500 prisoners but housing over 12,000, has a history of jailbreaks, including a significant one in 2017. The incident began with heavy gunfire around midnight, leading to severe material damage, including a fire in the administrative building. Authorities have cordoned off the area and are investigating the incident, with Justice Minister Constant Mutamba labeling it a 'premeditated act of sabotage'.