6,000 inmates escape Mozambique jail, 33 dead amid post-election violence

According to reports, 33 of them lost their lives in clashes with the military and police. 

Following a rebellion Wednesday on the fringes of violent protests that have destroyed police cars, stations, and other public infrastructure after the country's Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the Oct. 9 elections, Mozambican police chief Bernardino 

Rafael said 6,000 inmates had broken out of a maximum security prison in the capital Maputo. Reports of extensive shop looting have also surfaced. 

According to police, inmates at the jail began releasing other inmates after stealing guns from prison guards.

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

According to the police chief, the escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 kms (nearly nine miles) southwest of the capital, took place around from around midday after “agitation” of a “group of subversive protesters” nearby.

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

“This confrontation resulted [in] 33 deaths, in direct confrontation with the prisoners. Fifteen were injured”, said Rafael as he called for the voluntary surrender of the escaping prisoners and for the population to be informed about the fugitives.

Social media videos depict the moment inmates break out of jail, while other records show the catches of prison guards and military troops. Many inmates attempted to flee by hiding in homes, but some failed and were ultimately held. 

In an amateur film, a prisoner who is still wearing handcuffs on his right wrist claims that he was released by other inmates after being in the maximum prison's disciplinary division.

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