A prison riot in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, has killed 33 people and injured 15 others, while more than 1,500 inmates have escaped, police chief Bernardo Rafael said. Of those who escaped, 150 have been recaptured.

Mozambique is facing an escalation of unrest linked to disputed elections in October that extended the rule of the long-ruling Frelimo party. The opposition says the vote was rigged.

Although Rafael blamed anti-government protests for the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida said the unrest began inside the prison and was not linked to protests taking place outside.