At least 129 people have been killed during an attempted prison escape in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

An initial assessment shows 24 inmates died when “warning” gunshots were fired at Makala Central Prison, in the capital Kinshasa, according to Congo’s interior minister, Jacquemin Shabani.

He said most of those who died were killed in a stampede during the attempted jailbreak, adding: “There are also 59 injured people taken into care by the government, as well as some cases of women raped.”

He confirmed that order has now been restored at the prison, and no one had succeeded in escaping.

Footage, reportedly from the site, shows bodies lying on the ground and inmates loading the dead into a vehicle.

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Police officers outside Makala prison in Kinshasa. Pic: AP

Local residents looking on as security forces guard the prison. Pic: AP
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Local people gathered outside the prison as security guarded the perimeter. Pic: AP

The breakout occurred around 2am (also 2am UK time) on Monday with residents hearing heavy gunfire from the jail.

Part of the site was also damaged by fire in the attack.

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The attempted escape was plotted from inside the prison by inmates in one of the wings, Mbemba Kabuya, the deputy justice minister told local radio station, Top Congo FM.

In the hours that followed the attack, the road to the prison was cordoned off while authorities convened a panel to investigate the incident.

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Makala – among other prisons in Congo – is massively overcrowded according to Amnesty International.

Prisoners attend the releasing ceremony at Makala central prison, the largest jail where they will be released to reduce overcrowding, after videos showing prisoners living in deplorable conditions were posted on social media. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo July 27, 2024. REUTERS/Justin Makangara
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In July 2024, inmates were released at Makala Central Prison to reduce overcrowding. File pic: Reuters

Prisoners clean pans and containers at Makala central prison File pic: Reuters
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Inside the overcrowded Makala Central Prison. File pic: Reuters

The human rights group says the country’s largest jail has a capacity for 1,500 people, but holds over 12,000 inmates who are mostly awaiting trial.

Scores of inmates have been released this year as part of efforts to reduce the prison population.

The facility has recorded previous jailbreaks, including in 2017 when an attack by a religious sect freed dozens.

Justice minister Constant Mutamba called the attack a “premeditated act of sabotage,” adding those who “instigated these acts of sabotage… will receive a stern response”.

He also announced a ban on the transfer of inmates from the prison and said authorities will build a new jail, among other efforts to reduce overcrowding.