129 Killed During Prison Break Attempt In Congo

At least 129 persons died during a weekend prison break attempt at the largest jail in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The dead included 24 who were shot after warnings, said Congo interior minister Jacquemain Shabani in a video message.

At least 59 others were wounded at the Makala prison in the capital, Kinshasa, he added.

During this prison break attempt, several were crushed or suffocated while a number of women had been raped.

According to reports, gunfire started at the prison at around 2:00 am on Monday morning and lasted for several hours.

The authorities did not indicate as to how many inmates had escaped or attempted to do so.