On September 1-2, 2023, a tragic escape attempt at Makala prison in Kinshasa, DRC, resulted in the deaths of at least 129 individuals, including 24 shot dead by security forces. This incident has drawn attention to the dire conditions within the prison, which houses over 12,000 inmates despite a capacity of only 1,500. The government has confirmed the restoration of order, but human rights activists dispute the official death toll, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the DRC's penal system.
Makala prison, notorious for overcrowding and past escape attempts, faced chaos as gunfire erupted during the night, leading to a stampede and clashes. Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of panic, with reports of bodies being transported by police. The government has initiated investigations to identify those responsible for instigating the violence, while also announcing a suspension of prisoner transfers and plans for a new facility outside the capital.
