Nine people, including a 10-year-old child and at least two women, were killed and many others injured during a stampede at a music concert in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
The incident occurred at the 80,000-capacity Stade des Martyrs stadium, where Mike Kalambayi, a popular Congolese gospel singer, performed. Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba and DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba confirmed the fatalities and the number of injured, some of whom were admitted to intensive care.
The concert, organized by the local music management company Maajabu Gospel, attracted an estimated 30,000 attendees. The event featured several musicians and pastors, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd. However, the excitement quickly turned to chaos when the stampede erupted. Videos from the scene showed large crowds gathered outside the stadium in front of barricades, waiting to enter. Inside, people could be seen rushing toward the center stage.
Authorities have not yet commented on the exact cause of the stampede, stating that an investigation is underway. Maajabu Gospel indicated that the disorder began when officers tried to manage some disruptive individuals. There were about 2,000 police officers present at the venue. This has led to questions about the effectiveness of the crowd control measures implemented during the event.
The incident again highlighted the recurring issue of poor crowd control at large events in Congo. Last October, 11 people died similarly at the same stadium during a music concert.
Governor Bumba expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and pledged a comprehensive investigation into the incident. He attributed the deaths to “overflows and crowd movements” at the stadium.
Maajabu Gospel, in their statement, emphasized the need for improved security protocols to prevent such incidents. “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the deaths of our compatriots who lost their lives, while the security services were trying to neutralize some troublemakers,”
The concert was supposed to be a joyous occasion, bringing music lovers and religious leaders together for entertainment and spiritual upliftment. Mike Kalambayi, the headlining performer, is known for his inspirational gospel music and has a large following in Congo. His performance was highly anticipated, and the large turnout was a testament to his popularity.
As the investigation continues, there are calls for stricter regulations and better planning for large events. The safety of attendees must be a top priority to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
