6,000 inmates break out of high-security prison in Mozambique amid post-election violence

MAPUTO, Mozambique. (AP) — At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country’s police chief said, was widespread. riots and post-election violence continues to cover the country.

Thirty-three prisoners died and 15 others were wounded during a clash with security forces, police chief Bernardino Rafael added.

The prisoners escaped in time violent protestswhich saw police cars, stations and general public infrastructure destroyed after the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the October 9 election.

The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 km southwest of the capital, began around midday on Wednesday after “agitation” by a “subversive group of protesters” nearby, Rafael said, adding that prisoners at the facility had snatched weapons from to the prison guards and began the release of other prisoners.

“A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, whom they released. We are concerned, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,” said Rafael.

“They (protesters) were making noise demanding to be able to remove the prisoners who are serving their sentences,” Rafael said, adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to escape.

He demanded the voluntary surrender of the escaped prisoners and that the population be informed about the fugitives.

Videos circulating on social media show the moment the inmates left the prison, while other footage reveals footage taken by military personnel and prison guards. Many prisoners tried to hide in houses, but some failed and ended up being detained.

An inmate still with handcuffs on his right wrist says in an amateur video that he was in the disciplinary section of the maximum prison and was freed by other inmates.