A massive jailbreak in Mozambique has led to the escape of 1,534 inmates, including 29 terrorism convicts, according to Police General Commander Bernardino Rafael.
The incident occurred at the Maximum Security Penitentiary of Maputo, located 14 kilometers from the capital. “A total of 1,534 prisoners escaped… 150 of them have been recaptured,” Rafael said, as quoted by the Lusa news agency.
The escape coincides with civil unrest fueled by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who has rejected the October election results. Mondlane has vowed mass protests and pledged to declare himself president on January 15 unless the Constitutional Council revises its decision favoring the ruling Frelimo party.
Rafael warned of a potential spike in criminal activity in Maputo within 48 hours. The Ministry of Justice confirmed the prison housed over 3,000 inmates and investigations into the breakout are underway.
At least 33 people have died amid the unrest.