Mozambique army joins manhunt for 1,500 escaped prisoners

Mozambique says a "search operation," backed by the army, is underway to recapture more than 1,500 prisoners that escaped from a Maputo prison on Christmas Day. 150 fugitives have been recaptured as of Wednesday evening.

Authorities said the escaped inmates took advantage of the third day of unrest triggered by the controversial confirmation of the long-ruling Frelimo party as the winner of recent elections on Monday.

National police chief Bernardino Rafael told a press conference on Wednesday evening that 33 inmates were killed as they tried to escape, with another 15 wounded in clashes with prison staff.

A total of 1,534 detainees escaped the high-security prison located about 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the capital, said

Around 30 of the prisoners were linked to armed groups that authorities claim have been behind unrest and attacks in the northern province of Cabo Delgado for the past seven years.

"We are particularly concerned about this situation," Rafael said.

The Portuguese-speaking African country's highest court had confirmed on Monday that Frelimo, in power since 1975, won the October 9 presidential election that had already triggered weeks of unrest.

Groups of protesters had approached the penitentiary Wednesday, creating confusion and triggering unrest inside the prison, where inmates ended up knocking down a wall through which they escaped, Rafeal explained.

Barricades remained erected in several areas of the capital Wednesday, limiting movements, as acts of vandalism continued.

In addition to stores and public buildings that were already ransacked Monday, ambulances were set ablaze along with a drugstore and other businesses, according to an AFP correspondent.

Some demonstrators also set up tables in the streets to occupy the space while celebrating Christmas with family or neighbours, an AFP journalist witnessed in several working-class districts of Maputo.

Monday's confirmation of the election result came despite claims of irregularities from many observers.

Frelimo leader Daniel Chapo won 65.17 percent of the vote, about five points less than the initial results declared by the country's electoral commission.

Chapo's main challenger, exiled opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, has claimed the election was rigged, sparking fears of violence between rival party supporters.

The unrest has claimed the lives of at least 150 people, according to several NGO reports.