Heavy Gunfire Erupts Near Central Prison in Conakry, Guinea

Heavy gunfire broke out near Guinea’s central prison in Conakry’s Kaloum district on Tuesday morning, lasting over half an hour. Police and special forces secured the area, with an armored vehicle stationed outside the prison. Residents reported chaos and fear, though the situation later calmed, with authorities continuing to monitor the scene.

Heavy automatic gunfire erupted near the central prison in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, on Tuesday morning, sending shockwaves through the Kaloum district, the administrative center where the presidential palace is located. Residents in the area reported hearing a sudden burst of rapid gunfire, which began shortly before 9:00 a.m. local time (GMT) and continued for just over half an hour. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and alarming, with the sound of vehicles speeding past immediately before the shooting added to the confusion and tension.
Thierno Balde, an accountant working in the neighborhood, told AFP that he rushed to the window after hearing the noise and confirmed that the gunfire was heavy and continuous. Several other residents in the vicinity provided similar accounts, describing a tense and frightening situation as they tried to make sense of what was happening. The intensity of the gunfire and its proximity to the central prison created widespread fear among locals, many of whom were unsure of the exact cause or who was involved.
By late Tuesday morning, a significant security presence had been deployed to the area. Police officers and special forces set up roadblocks to prevent access to the streets leading to the prison, and an armored vehicle belonging to the special forces was stationed in front of the facility, signaling the seriousness of the response. Security personnel were visibly on high alert, closely monitoring the situation and restricting movement to ensure public safety.
Abdouramane Doukoure, a retired civil servant, recounted his experience of the shooting as he was driving past the prison. He said that the heavy traffic forced people to flee in multiple directions to escape the danger. Other residents living close to the prison reported hearing gunfire originating from inside the facility, though by the time they spoke to AFP, the situation had reportedly calmed down. Despite this temporary lull, locals expressed ongoing uncertainty, emphasizing that they did not know how long the calm would last and remained wary of any further developments.
The incident has left the Kaloum neighborhood tense, as authorities continue to secure the area and assess the situation at the central prison. The combination of heavy gunfire, armored security presence, and the proximity to key government institutions underscores the seriousness of the events and has drawn attention from both local residents and the wider public.