Not less than 9 individuals died and others have been injured at a reside live performance within the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, the nation’s well being minister has stated.
Gospel singer and pastor Mike Kalambay was performing on the 80,000-seater Martyr Stadium within the capital, Kinshasa, however images taken on the occasion present scenes of overcrowding.
A ten-year-old baby is amongst those that died, in accordance with native media.
The governor of Kinshasa, Daniel Bumba, has launched an announcement blaming “excesses and crowd actions” for the catastrophe.
DR Congo’s justice minister has ordered an investigation, and the questioning of the law enforcement officials who have been current on the time and the occasion organiser Maajabu Gospel.
In an announcement launched after Saturday’s live performance, Maajabu Gospel stated it was deeply saddened to be taught of the deaths. It blamed “troublemakers”, and stated there have been 2,000 law enforcement officials on the occasion who had tried to pacify them.
The organisers additionally insisted there have been about 30,000 individuals on the live performance – a lot lower than the venue’s most capability.
The stadium, which is a serious landmark and stated to be one of many greatest in Africa, is now closed till additional discover.
It usually performs host to among the greatest names in music, numerous soccer matches, and was additionally the venue for President Félix Tshisekedi’s swearing-in ceremony.
Following Saturday’s chaos, Kinshasa metropolis authorities have requested police to strengthen safety measures and advised occasion organisers to stick to security rules.
Incidents like these will not be unusual at large-scale occasions in DR Congo.
In 2022, a stadium crush on the similar venue throughout a live performance by Congolese star Fally Ipupa left 11 individuals useless.
