Seven Dead in Concert Stampede in Kinshasa, Congo

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A tragic stampede at a music concert in Kinshasa resulted in the deaths of seven individuals and left many others injured, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at the Stade des Martyrs, which has an 80,000 capacity, during a performance by popular Congolese gospel singer Mike Kalambayi. Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba confirmed the fatalities, with some injured attendees requiring intensive care. The cause of the stampede remains unclear, as officials have launched an investigation into the incident. However, the local music management company, Maajabu Gospel, suggested that the chaos began when security personnel attempted to control a disturbance among the crowd. The concert attracted an estimated 30,000 attendees and featured various musicians and pastors, highlighting the event's popularity. Eyewitness videos from the scene depicted large crowds gathered outside the stadium, waiting to enter, while others rushed towards the stage once inside. This incident is not isolated; Congo has experienced similar tragedies in the past, often attributed to inadequate crowd management and excessive force by security. Notably, a previous concert at the same venue last October resulted in the deaths of eleven people due to a similar crush. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of concertgoers in the future and addressing the systemic issues that have led to such devastating incidents in the past.