Following a crisis meeting with the heads of the defense and security services, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani told reporters that of those victims, 24 were killed after being warned of imminent shooting, while the remainder died from suffocation amid the stampede.

There are also 59 injured taken into Government care, as well as some cases of raped women, he said.

Shabani explained that the administrative building, the registry office, the infirmary, and the food warehouses were set on fire. He pointed out that the situation in the prison had returned to normal and the commission appointed to investigate the events was continuing its work.

Early Monday, gunfire was reported at Makala Central Prison for several hours as prisoners attempted to leave their cells.

DRC Justice Minister Constant Mutamba described the escape attempt as a “deliberate act of sabotage” as he and his team were touring the country to clear prisons and improve jail conditions.

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