The mass escape occurred as the country grappled with widespread protests and violence after the ruling Frelimo party was declared the winner of the disputed October 9 elections.
The chaos began around midday, when violent demonstrations in the vicinity of the high-security prison ignited a rebellion among the inmates.
According to Mozambique's police chief, Bernardino Rafael, prisoners seized weapons from guards and started releasing other detainees, including 29 convicted terrorists. The breach occurred after the prison wall was collapsed during the protests, allowing prisoners to flee.
In the aftermath, at least 33 inmates were killed, and 15 others were injured in clashes with security forces.
Videos shared on social media showed the moment when inmates fled the prison, with some hiding in nearby homes. Military personnel and prison guards swiftly captured some of the fugitives, though a number remain on the run.
'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 defense and security forces,' said Rafael.
The police chief called on those who had escaped to surrender voluntarily while urging the public to stay vigilant.
The prison break is part of a broader wave of unrest that has swept through Mozambique in the wake of the contested election results.
Protests have raged across the country, with demonstrators targeting police stations, vehicles, and public infrastructure in response to the victory of Frelimo's candidate, Daniel Chapo, who secured 65% of the vote. Opposition supporters, primarily from Venancio Mondlane's camp, have fueled the violence, rejecting the election results.
The violence has drawn international concern, with the United Nations calling for an immediate halt to the bloodshed and urging all parties to engage in peaceful dialogue. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for legal redress and a resolution to the political crisis.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
