Over 100 women raped and burned alive in DR Congo prison break, says UN

According to the UN, over 100 female prisoners were raped and burned alive during a jailbreak in Goma, DR Congo. The mass escape from Munzenze prison occurred after M23 rebels began seizing the city.

An internal UN report states that between 165 and 167 women were assaulted by male inmates before being killed in a fire set by the prisoners. The BBC has not independently verified these claims.

Goma, a city of over a million people, fell into chaos as M23 rebels—backed by Rwanda—rapidly advanced. Footage from the jailbreak showed smoke rising, people fleeing, and heavy gunfire.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths, according to the Congolese government, while the UN reports at least 900 fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries. A ceasefire was recently announced, but renewed fighting has been reported.