<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At least 6000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/africa" rel="" target="_blank" title="Mozambique's"><span>Mozambique's</span></a><span> capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence roil the country.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The prisoners fled during violent protests that have resulted in police cars, stations and infrastructure being destroyed after the country's Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the October 9 elections.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-to-hobart-yacht-race-two-people-dead-in-accidents/ed33c03e-219c-4dd3-8c89-d403db30a11a" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>Investigation promised after tragic deaths in Sydney to Hobart</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 kilometres south-west of the capital, started about midday on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) after "agitation" by a "group of subversive protesters" nearby, Rafael said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defence and security forces," Rafael said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/mozambique-prison-escape-6000-inmates-escape-from-a-highsecurity-prison-as-postelection-violence-roils-mozambique/4b97112a-6f1e-4f64-9ab6-ff76866e5d9d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They (protesters) were making noise, demanding that they be able to remove the prisoners who are there serving their sentences", said Rafael, adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to flee.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/australians-visiting-new-york-reportedly-among-pedestrians-hit-by-taxi/6d58caab-b271-48c6-9c43-731bd9bceacc" rel="" target="_blank" title="'Worst holiday ever': Aussies caught in New York taxi chaos"><strong><span>'Worst holiday ever': Aussies caught in New York taxi chaos</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He called on the escaped prisoners to surrender to authorities and for the population to be informed about the fugitives.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Videos circulating on social media show the moment inmates left the prison, while other recordings reveal captures made by military personnel and prison guards. Many prisoners tried to hide in homes, but some were unsuccessful and ended up being detained again.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In one video, a prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist says he was held in the disciplinary section of the prison and was released by other inmates.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" title="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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