More than 1,500 inmates escaped during riots that also resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injuries at a prison in Mozambique’s capital Maputo on Wednesday, according to the country’s police chief Bernardino Rafael.
About 1,534 inmates escaped during the prison riots but 150 have since been recaptured, Rafael said.
The prison break occurred a day after at least 21 people were killed in unrest following the confirmation of the October election results by Mozambique’s top court.
The Constitutional Council’s decision to confirm the victory of the ruling Frelimo party’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, has sparked nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters who allege that the vote was rigged.
The unrest has led to significant violence and chaos across the country.
The government blames the unrest on supporters of losing presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24 percent of the vote compared to Chapo’s 65 percent.
The government has tightened security measures and arrested at least 78 people since the confirmation of the election outcome by the Constitutional Court on Monday.
Frelimo has been repeatedly accused by opponents and election observers of rigging votes, allegations it denies.
JN/APA