Seven people killed in stampede at Congo music concert, authorities report

Seven people were killed, and many others were injured during a stampede at a music concert in Congo’s capital, authorities said.

The stampede occurred on Saturday at the 80,000-capacity Stade des Martyrs stadium in the heart of Kinshasa where Mike Kalambayi, a popular Congolese gospel singer, was performing, Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba said.

State television RTNC said seven people were killed in the chaos, and some of those injured were admitted to intensive care.

Authorities did not comment on what caused the stampede, saying an investigation was underway.

However, the local music management company that organised the event said the chaos erupted when “the security services tried to neutralise some troublemakers”.

An estimated 30,000 people attended the concert, which featured several other musicians and pastors, management company Maajabu Gospel said in a statement.

Videos that appeared to be from the scene and broadcast of the event showed large crowds gathered outside the stadium in front of barricades as they waited to enter.

Inside, people could be seen rushing to the centre stage.

Congo has witnessed such stampedes in past years, often blamed on poor crowd control measures such as excessive use of force.

Eleven people died in a similar crush at the same stadium last October during a music concert.