MAPUTO, Mozambique — At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country.

Mozambique is experiencing escalating civil unrest linked to October’s disputed election, which extended long-ruling party Frelimo’s stay in power. Opposition groups and their supporters claim the vote was rigged.

At least 1,534 inmates escaped yesterday afternoon from Maputo's Central Maximum-Security Prison, in what the police commander-general described as a "premeditated" action tied to post-election protests,