Official: 34 inmates escape prison in eastern Congo

GOMA, Congo – A local official says 34 prisoners have escaped a prison in eastern Congo after breaking through brick walls during heavy rains.

South Kivu provincial justice minister Pasaline Basezage said Monday that at least 27 of the prisoners who escaped late Sunday had been convicted of sexual crimes and other violent offences.

The prison in Mwenga, a territory about 130 kilometres (81 miles) south of Bukavu, was holding 42 inmates at the time.

Mwenga administrator Desire Masumbuko said security forces have captured four of the escaped prisoners. He called on residents to be cautious and to co-operate in the search for the remaining inmates.

Thousands of prisoners have staged successful escapes all over Congo since May, when Christian sect members stormed a prison in Kinshasa. Witnesses say thousands escaped.