1,500 prisoners escape, 33 inmates killed in post-election unrest in Mozambique

More than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a prison in Maputo on Wednesday, taking advantage of a third day of unrest sparked by the controversial confirmation of the long-ruling Frelimo party as winner of recent elections.

A total of 1,534 inmates escaped from the high-security prison, located about 15 kilometers from the capital, national police chief Bernardino Rafael said at a news conference.

Among those who tried to escape, 33 were killed and 15 injured in clashes with prison staff, he added.

An army-backed search operation led to the arrest of about 150 refugees, he said.

Around 30 of the prisoners were linked to armed groups that have been behind unrest and attacks in the northern province of Cabo Delgado for seven years.

“We are particularly concerned about this situation,” Rafael said.