A devastating prison riot in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, has left at least 33 people dead and over a dozen injured.
The violence erupted on Thursday morning at the Maputo Maximum Security Prison, one of the country's largest correctional facilities.
According to eyewitnesses, the riot began when a group of inmates, reportedly armed with makeshift knives and other crude weapons, clashed with prison guards.
The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with the inmates overpowering the guards and taking control of parts of the prison.
"It was chaos," said one eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous. "I saw inmates running wildly, shouting and screaming. The guards were trying to regain control, but it was too late."
As the riot intensified, the inmates set fire to several buildings within the prison complex, including the prison's administrative block.
The Mozambican authorities were quick to respond, deploying a team of riot police and firefighters to the scene.
However, their efforts were hindered by the sheer scale of the violence, and it took several hours to bring the situation under control.
By the time order was restored, at least 33 people had been killed, including several prison guards.
Over a dozen others were injured, many of them seriously, and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Mozambican government has launched an investigation into the riot, and officials have promised to take swift action against those responsible.
However, the incident has raised serious concerns about the state of Mozambique's prison system, which has long been plagued by overcrowding, poor conditions, and violence.
The Maputo Maximum Security Prison, where the riot occurred, is one of the country's most notorious prisons, with a reputation for harsh conditions and brutal treatment of inmates.
Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized the Mozambican government for its treatment of prisoners, and the riot has sparked renewed calls for reform.
"The Mozambican government needs to take urgent action to address the systemic problems in its prison system," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. "This includes improving conditions, reducing overcrowding, and ensuring that prisoners are treated humanely."
As the investigation into the riot continues, the people of Mozambique are left to pick up the pieces and wonder how such a tragedy could have occurred.
The incident is a stark reminder of the challenges facing Mozambique, a country struggling to rebuild after years of conflict and instability.
It is a sobering reminder that, despite progress in some areas, much work remains to be done to address the deep-seated problems that plague this troubled nation.
The government of Mozambique has promised to do better, but for the families of the victims, and for the people of Mozambique, action cannot come soon enough.
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