Thirty-three inmates were killed and 15 others sustained injuries during a violent clash with the prison's security forces.

Mozambique is experiencing escalating civil unrest linked to October’s disputed election, which extended long-ruling party Frelimo’s stay in power. Opposition groups and their supporters claim the vote was rigged.

Protests erupted on Monday in response to Mozambique's highest court confirming that the ruling Frelimo party, in power since 1975, had won October's presidential elections. Mr Rafael said groups of anti-government protesters had approached the prison in the capital Maputo on Wednesday.

Mozambique’s police chief has said that at least 6,000 inmates have escaped from a high-security prison in the capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country.

At least 6,000 prisoners have escaped from a maximum security prison in Mozambique as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country, officials said Wednesday. Thirty-three of them are said to have died during confrontations with the police and the military.