A violent prison riot in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, left 33 people dead and 15 injured, according to the country's police general commander, Bernardino Rafael. The incident occurred as nationwide unrest continues following the disputed October elections.

The riot took place on Tuesday at a prison in Maputo, where chaos erupted amidst ongoing protests over the top court’s decision on Monday to uphold the ruling Frelimo party’s victory in the elections. Opposition groups and their supporters have alleged that the vote was rigged, sparking demonstrations across the country.

Justice Minister Helena Kida told Miramar TV that the unrest began inside the prison and was not directly linked to protests outside. However, Commander Rafael stated that protests near the prison may have encouraged the riot.

"The confrontations resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injuries in the vicinity of the jail," Rafael said during a media briefing. The identities of the victims remain unclear.

The riot also led to a massive prison break, with 1,534 inmates escaping. Authorities have since recaptured 150 of them, but the situation remains tense, with break attempts reported at two other prisons.

"We are worried as a country—Mozambicans and security forces," Rafael said, warning of a potential surge in crime over the next 48 hours.

This tragedy comes amidst escalating violence tied to post-election protests. Interior Minister Arsénia Massingue reported on Tuesday that at least 21 people had been killed in the unrest since the court's decision, bringing the total fatalities to over 150, according to the civil society group Plataforma Decide.

Mozambique's government and security forces face mounting pressure to restore order and address the grievances fueling the protests. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further violence in the coming days.