At least nine people were killed and several others injured at a live concert in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, the country’s health minister said.
Gospel singer and pastor Mike Kalambay was performing at the 80,000-seat Martyr Stadium in the capital Kinshasa, but photos from the event showed a packed scene.
According to local media, among the dead was a 10-year-old child.
Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba issued a statement blaming “excessive and mass movements” for the disaster.
DR Congo’s justice minister has order an investigation, and asking questions of the police present at the time and the organizer of the Maajabu Gospel event.
In a statement released after Saturday’s concert, Maajabu Gospel said it was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths. It blamed “troublemakers” and said there were 2,000 police at the event who tried to suppress them.
Organizers also claimed that around 30,000 people attended the concert – far less than the venue’s maximum capacity.
The stadium, a major landmark and said to be one of the largest in Africa, is now closed until further notice.
It regularly hosts some of the biggest names in music, numerous football matches and was also the site of the inauguration of President Félix Tshisekedi.
Following Saturday’s chaos, Kinshasa city authorities have asked police to step up security measures and asked event organizers to comply with safety regulations.
Incidents like this are not uncommon at large-scale events in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2022, a stampede at the same venue during a concert by Congolese star Fally Ipupa left 11 people dead.
