A violent riot erupted in a Maputo prison on Wednesday, leading to the tragic death of 33 inmates, with 15 others sustaining injuries.

Amid the chaos, more than 1,500 prisoners managed to break free, sparking a major security operation to recapture escapees, with 150 already back in custody, according to Al Jazeera reports.

The unrest in the prison comes at a time of heightened political tension following Mozambique's October elections, which have been denounced by opposition groups as rigged, favoring the long-dominant Frelimo party. The political climate has evidently spilled over into public security, with this riot adding fuel to the fire.

Police General Commander Bernardino Rafael told the press that the riot was possibly influenced by external protests but was careful to note that the initial spark came from within the prison itself. Contrarily, the Justice Minister's office insists the incident was an internal affair, not directly linked to the street protests.

Details provided by Commander Rafael paint a grim picture of the event, with prisoners managing to overpower guards, seizing AK-47 rifles and other weapons during their escape. The South African Broadcasting Corporation highlighted that the riot might have been facilitated by lax security measures, which were presumably reduced during the holiday season.

Local authorities are now facing increased pressure to bolster prison security and address the broader political discontent that could be fueling such incidents. The situation has escalated concerns about public safety and the stability of Mozambique as it deals with the aftermath of this massive jailbreak and the ongoing disputes over election integrity. (ILKHA)