Over 150 female inmates raped and burned to death in horrifying jailbreak in Congo: UN report

Over 150 women were raped and burned to death during a mass jailbreak amid the ongoing crisis in the central African country of Congo, a UN spokesperson revealed.
Seif Magango, who works at UN Human Rights Office told CNN that most of the 165 female prisoners, who were raped by escaping male inmates were killed in the fire.

The ordeal took place in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after fleeing male inmates set fire to the prison.
He said that between nine and 13 female inmates survived the blaze, but they had also been assaulted. While the UN has not independently verified the claims, Magango said they considered the report credible.

The jailbreak took place on 27 January as M23 rebels clashed with Congolese forces in Goma. More than 4,000 detainees escaped from Muzenze prison, leaving the facility completely empty and in ruins, according to UN-sponsored Radio Okapi. Some of the fleeing inmates were killed by prison guards during the escape.
DRC’s communications minister, Patrick Muyaya, confirmed the mass sexual violence, and said “the government condemns with the greatest energy this barbaric crime.”
Meanwhile, the UN has also received reports of further sexual violence involving the Congolese army and allied forces. A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said they were investigating allegations that 52 women were raped, including cases of gang rape, by Congolese troops in South Kivu.
The M23 rebel group, which claims to have seized control of Goma, has since called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The latest clashes between the group and government forces have allegedly left nearly 3,000 people dead.