Over 33 people were killed during a riot at a maximum-security prison in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, on Christmas Day. The violence left 15 others injured, according to authorities.
Reports from The Guardian UK confirm that the riot resulted in significant casualties. Bernardino Rafael, Mozambique’s police general commander, revealed that approximately 1,530 inmates escaped during the chaos, though 150 have since been recaptured.
The unrest comes amid escalating civil tensions in the country, partly linked to October’s disputed elections. While police officials blamed protests outside the prison for inciting the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida refuted this claim. Speaking to Miramar TV, Kida stated that the disturbance began within the prison and was unrelated to external demonstrations.
“The confrontations that followed resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injuries in the vicinity of the jail,” Rafael confirmed during a press briefing.
Authorities have yet to identify the deceased and injured, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the tragic event.
