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More than 100 female prisoners were raped and then burned alive during a jailbreak in the Congolese city of Goma, according to a UN report.
The mass escape from Munzenze prison occurred last Monday as fighters from the M23 rebel group advanced into the city.
An internal UN document states that between 165 and 167 women were assaulted by male inmates during the chaos. Most of them were later killed when the prisoners set fire to the facility.
Goma, a city of over a million people, fell to M23 after a rapid advance backed by Rwanda, plunging the area into turmoil. Bodies lay in the streets, and missiles were reportedly seen flying over residential areas.
Footage from the jailbreak showed smoke billowing from the prison as inmates fled. Heavy gunfire echoed in the background, and separate videos captured escapees moving through Goma’s streets.
The conflict between M23 and Congolese forces, along with their allies, has led to staggering casualties. DR Congo’s government reports over 2,000 deaths, while the UN estimates at least 900 killed and nearly 3,000 wounded. The reason for the discrepancy remains unclear.
Earlier this week, M23 declared a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds, but reports of renewed fighting emerged on Wednesday.
