Over 30 prisoners were killed in clashes and several were injured, according to the country's police chief Bernardino Rafael.
The escape began after a "subversive group started agitating" inside the prison, the police chief said on the following day, and added that 29 of those who escaped were "convicted terrorists". A group of prisoners managed to steal weapons from prison guards and then released additional prisoners.
Political unrest is shaking Mozambique with over 100 dead in clashes over the past week. The growing protests concern dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election on October 9, when the Frelimo party's candidate won the presidential election. The outcome has now been confirmed by the country's highest court.
Government buildings and police stations have been attacked and set on fire in recent days in regime-critical protests.
