Mass prison break sees 6,000 inmates escape jail as violence breaks out after elections

A mass jail break has seen at least 6,000 people escape from a maximum security facility – leaving 33 prisoners dead and 15 others injured after violent clashes with security forces.

Inmates escaped from the jail in Mozambique’s capital Maputo on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country’s police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence tear through the country.

Police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces. The prisoners fled during violent protests that have seen police cars, stations and infrastructure destroyed after the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the Oct. 9 elections.

Thousands of prisoners pictured on the streets following the jail break
Thousands of prisoners spilled on to the streets following the jail break 
Image:
AP)

Soldiers search for thousands of prisoners after a mass break out from a prison in Mozambique
There were clashes with security forces after the mass jail break 
Image:
AP)
The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located around 9 miles southwest of the capital, started around midday on Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said. Violence has engulfed Mozambique since the country’s highest court confirmed ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections on Monday.

Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. Rafael added: “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.”

A prisoner is seen on the run after escaping the high security facility
Videos on social media show the moment inmates left the prison 
Image:
AP)

A prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist
A prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist says he was held n the disciplinary section of the prison before being released by other inmates 
Image:
AP)“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 led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to flee. He called on the escaped prisoners to surrender to authorities and for the population to be informed about the fugitives.

Related Posts

Meghan Markle completely steals the show at Paris Fashion Week in jaw-dropping outfit

The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle stole the show at Paris Fashion Week as she made an unexpected visit to the French capital to show off her…

Inside Tyson Fury’s chaotic wedding to Paris as Venezuela, 16, gets engaged

Here we take a look at Tyson and Paris Fury’s wedding day back in 2008 as their daughter Venezuela becomes engaged to her boxer fiancé Noah Price…

Sir Rod Stewart’s heartbreaking message to Penny Lancaster on his 80th birthday

As he turns 80, the unstoppable Rod Stewart – who confesses that for him the ‘fountain of youth’ is in the form of his eight children –…

The Chase star Darragh Ennis broke hearts as he revealed the devastating impact of losing his father to dementia. Struggling to hold it together on set, he admitted feeling “broken” and overwhelmed, before counselling gave him the lifeline he needed. His raw honesty moved viewers deeply.

Darragh Ennis, also known as The Menace on ITV quiz show The Chase, appeared on Loose Women on Wednesday (January 22), where he opened up about losing…

Paddy McGuinness has finally spoken out after romance rumours with co-star Cherry Healey exploded online. Fans speculated over their chemistry after cosy selfies surfaced, but Paddy set the record straight – shutting down claims and insisting they’re just great colleagues on Inside the Factory.

Paddy McGuinness has replaced Gregg Wallace as a co-host on Inside the Factory, with him having worked alongside the likes of Cherry Healey on the BBC show’s…

Linda Robson stunned viewers by slamming her hands on the desk and storming off Loose Women after a fiery clash with her co-stars live on air. Fans were left shocked as the panel’s heated row spiralled into chaos, forcing producers to cut to an ad break.

Linda Robson fled her seat abruptly following a heated debate with her co-stars on Loose Women Linda Robson dramatically declared to her fellow panellists: “That’s it, I’m…