At least 129 people have been arrested in an attempted prison break from Congo's Makala Central Prison.
According to reports, gunfire erupted from inside the prison around midnight on Sunday, September 1, and continued into Monday morning.
Videos circulating online show bodies lying on the floor, many of them injured.
Other videos also show inmates carrying people into a vehicle, which appears to be de@d.
There are reports that most of the deaths were due to the stampede.
Announcing the death toll in a statement on X, Congo's interior minister, Jacquemin Shabani, said the attempted escape had led to casualties and significant material damage.
Besides them, 59 were injured and taken care of by the government, while some women were r@ped, he added.
“On the instructions of the highest ranking, I have convened a crisis meeting with the chiefs of defense and security services,” the statement said.
“The provisional toll is 129 d@d, of which 24 were shot, after the warning, the other victims died of shock or suffocation.
“Administrative buildings, registry, infirmary and food depot were destroyed by fire.
“The government is happy with the return of peace, regrets these tragic events, and offers condolences to the families of the victims.
“Investigations are ongoing and the public will be kept informed.”
Makala is the largest penitentiary in the Congo. The facility has recorded previous jailbreaks, including in 2017 when dozens were freed in an attack by a religious sect.
Check out various videos from the scene below.
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