Prison escape amid Mozambique protests sees 1,500 prisoners escape and 33 killed | Prison news

A suspected riot broke out inside a prison in the capital, Maputo, with some officials denying the incident was linked to post-election unrest.

A suspected riot inside a prison in Mozambique’s capital has left at least 33 people dead and 15 others injured, while more than 1,500 prisoners have escaped, Mozambican authorities said.

Police Commander-in-Chief Bernardino Rafael said on Wednesday that 150 inmates who escaped from prison in Maputo had been arrested.

Mozambique is witnessing escalating civil unrest linked to the events of October Disputed electionsextending the long-ruling Frelimo party’s stay in power. Opposition groups and their supporters claim the vote was rigged.

While Rafael blamed the protests outside the prison for encouraging the riots, Justice Minister Helena Kida told local private channel Miramar TV that the unrest began inside the prison and had nothing to do with the protests outside.

Rafael said in a press conference, “The ensuing confrontations resulted in the killing of 33 people and the injury of 15 others in the vicinity of the prison.”

The identities of the dead and wounded were not clear.

A South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) report said the inmates overpowered guards and seized AK-47 rifles, allowing them to escape from the correctional facility.

Mozambican journalist Clemente Carlos told the SABC that the fugitives likely took advantage of the Christmas holiday season, when there were fewer guards on duty compared to normal working days.

“This shocking incident raises urgent questions about the state of security and the judicial system in Mozambique,” ​​Adriano Novunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, wrote on X on Wednesday.

“Now, more than ever, it is essential that authorities, civil society and international partners collaborate to ensure public safety and address the systemic challenges that have led to this situation.”

Meanwhile, there were at least 21 people, including two police officers Confirm his death During two days of violence over the election results on Monday and Tuesday, including attacks on petrol stations, police stations and banks.

Their deaths bring the death toll in the country to 151 since October 21, according to the election monitoring group Plataforma Decid.