At the least 9 individuals died and plenty of others have been injured throughout a reside live performance within the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, the nation’s well being minister stated.
Gospel singer and pastor Mike Kalambe was performing on the 80,000-seat Martyrs Stadium within the capital, Kinshasa, however images taken on the venue confirmed that the venue was overcrowded.
Based on native media stories, a 10-year-old youngster was among the many lifeless.
Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bemba issued an announcement blaming “extreme conduct and crowd actions” for the catastrophe.
Minister of Justice of the Democratic Republic of the Congo order an investigation, and doubt The police and occasion organizer Maajabu Gospel who have been current on the time.
Maajabu Gospel stated in an announcement after Saturday’s live performance that it was deeply saddened to study of the dying. It blamed “troublemakers” and stated 2,000 law enforcement officials have been on the occasion to attempt to calm them.
Organizers additionally insisted that roughly 30,000 individuals attended the live performance, which was far beneath the venue’s most capability.
The stadium, an essential landmark stated to be one of many largest in Africa, is closed till additional discover.
It repeatedly hosts among the largest names in music and numerous soccer matches, and was additionally the venue for the swearing-in ceremony of President Felix Tshisekedi.
Following Saturday’s chaos, Kinshasa metropolis authorities requested police to tighten safety measures and occasion organizers to adjust to security laws.
Such incidents aren’t unusual at massive occasions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In 2022, a stadium crush occurred on the identical venue throughout a live performance by Congolese star Fally Ipupa, killing 11 individuals.
