KIGALI, Rwanda

At least 40 inmates escaped from the Boma prison in Kongo Central province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities said Thursday.

The inmates took advantage of a funeral vigil late Wednesday that was organized near the prison, according to the Mayor of Boma Marie Jose Niongo Nsuami.

“There was a funeral vigil of the former director of the prison organized not far from the prison. With all that music noise and the prisoners took advantage of that to escape. If there was no sound of music, the police and military guards could have realized,” Nsuami told reporters.

“Of these escapees, eight were rearrested while one was shot on the run.”

Boma prison was constructed in 1905 and is in a dilapidated state.

The escape came days after 200 inmates escaped Nov. 20 from the Matadi Central Prison in the province.​​​​​​​