33 Killed in Mozambique Prison Riot on Christmas Day: Reports

Photo : Reuters

A prison riot in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, led to the deaths of 33 people and 15 others being hurt. This happened after protests started over the results of the country's election in October, which many people believe was unfair. These protests have caused trouble across the country, and they were made worse when the court confirmed the ruling party, Frelimo, had won the election.

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Bernardino Rafael, the police general commander, said that protests outside the prison helped cause the riot. But the country's Justice Minister, Helena Kida, explained that the violence actually started inside the prison, not because of the protests outside. She said the fighting led to 33 deaths and 15 injuries near the prison. However, we still don’t know who was killed or hurt.

During the riot, around 1,534 prisoners escaped, but the police managed to catch 150 of them so far. Rafael also mentioned that there were attempts to break out of two other prisons.

Mozambique Interior Minister said that at least 21 people were killed after the court’s decision. A group that watches the violence, called Plataforma Decide, said more than 130 people have died in fights with police since the protests began.

This riot and the protests show how the country is facing growing problems and fear that things could get worse.