Maputo — One person died and six were injured on Sunday afternoon when guards opened fire on prisoners who were attempting to stage a mass break-out from Maputo Central Prison.

According to the Ministry of Justice, about 150 prisoners were involved in the riot. 17 of them did escape, and have not yet been recaptured.

The break-out occurred at about 14.00, during a football match between two teams formed by prisoners. The Ministry is reticent about the exact sequence of events, saying merely that when the guards realised a mass escape was under way, they took "the necessary measures".

Shots were heard for more than two hours - a surprisingly long time, given that the guards are armed and the prisoners should not be. Six prisoners were wounded, one of whom died while being taken to Maputo Central Hospital. A guard was also injured. The Ministry has opened an inquiry into the escape.

This is the second mass escape from a Maputo jail in the space of three weeks. On 23 December 19 prisoners (according to police national commander Miguel dos Santos) escaped from the top security prison, which is next door to the central prison.