At least 129 prisoners were killed and 59 others injured in an escape attempt at Makala Central Prison early Monday in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Xinhua reports citing the DRC government.

The provisional death toll reached 129, including 24 by gunfire after a "warning," and the others by "shoving or suffocation," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Security Jacquemain Shabani, specifying that at least 59 injured inmates were taken care of by the government, as well as some women who had been reportedly raped.

He said the administrative building, the registry, the infirmary, and food depots were set on fire during the accident.

Gunshots were heard for several hours at Makala Central Prison in the early hours of Monday, witnesses told Xinhua.

In July, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba decided that 1,284 inmates at the Makala Central Prison would be granted conditional release to ease overcrowding.