At least four inmates were killed and more than 130 others fled during a violent prison escape in central Chad, local sources confirmed Saturday.
The attempted breakout occurred Friday night at Mongo Prison amid a protest over poor conditions, with weapons smuggled into the facility triggering chaos.
Security sources told local media the incident began at 9:00 p.m. local time as prisoners reportedly organized a demonstration against overcrowding and inadequate resources. During the protest, contraband weapons were introduced into the prison, enabling inmates to overpower guards and breach the premises. Four prisoners died in the clash, while several guards sustained injuries.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the escaped inmates, though details on recaptures remain unclear. Chad’s penal system has long faced criticism for dire conditions, including overcrowding, insufficient staffing, and limited oversight. In 2020, Human Rights Watch highlighted systemic abuses in the country’s detention centers, citing prolonged pretrial detention and inadequate healthcare.
This marks the latest in a series of prison breaks across the region, underscoring vulnerabilities in security infrastructure. A 2019 escape in N’Djamena saw 47 inmates flee, raising similar concerns about resource gaps and corruption.
The scale of Friday’s breakout among the largest in recent years heightens fears of escalated insecurity as authorities grapple with tracking down fugitives.
While the government has yet to issue an official statement, the incident amplifies calls for urgent penal reforms. As Chad confronts ongoing political transitions and regional instability, the Mongo Prison breach exposes systemic risks that extend beyond prison walls, threatening broader public safety in a nation already strained by economic and security challenges.
