More than 33 people have reportedly died after unrest broke out at a maximum security prison in Mozambican capital, Maputo.

Dozens of people were killed as a result of the prison riot on Christmas Day, according to authorities.

According to the Guardian UK, the riot resulted to the death of 33 people, while 15 others were injured.

Bernadino Rachel, the country’s police general commander, said about 1,530 people escaped from the prison.

According to him, 150 of them had now been recaptured.

The country is going through escalating civil unrest linked to October’s disputed election.

The Police chief blamed protests outside the prison for encouraging the riot.

On his own, justice minister Helena Kida, told Miramar TV that the riot was started inside the jail and had nothing to do with protests outside.

“The confrontations after that resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injured in the vicinity of the jail,” Rafael told a media briefing.

The identities of those killed and injured were unclear.