A tragic incident at Makala Prison in Kinshasa, DRC, resulted in chaos on Monday morning, leaving at least 129 people dead. Gunfire erupted at 2:00 AM, with the interior minister confirming the grim toll. Twenty-four people died from gunfire, and many others were injured during a jailbreak attempt.
The aftermath revealed the scale of the tragedy, with bodies rushed away by security vehicles. Reports of sexual assaults surfaced, adding to the harrowing situation. Despite the chaos, the government assured the public that the situation was “under control.”
Overcrowding in Makala Prison has long been a concern, housing far more inmates than its capacity. This incident underscores the urgent need for prison reform in the country to prevent further tragedies and improve humanitarian conditions. An investigation has been launched to hold those responsible for the prison chaos accountable.
