Tragic Stampede at Kinshasa Concert: Seven Dead

A stampede at Mike Kalambayi's concert in Kinshasa resulted in seven deaths and numerous injuries. The incident took place at the Stade des Martyrs stadium, with approximately 30,000 attendees. Authorities are investigating the cause, suspected to involve security actions against troublemakers. This marks another tragic event in Congo's history of concert stampedes.

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

The stampede occurred 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 Gov. Daniel Bumba said.

State television RTNC reported seven fatalities in the chaos, with some of the injured admitted to intensive care units.

While authorities did not comment on the cause of the stampede, an investigation is underway. The event's management company, Maajabu Gospel, suggested the chaos erupted when security services attempted to neutralize troublemakers. An estimated 30,000 people attended the concert, which featured several musicians and pastors.

Videos purportedly from the scene showed large crowds gathered outside the stadium's barricades waiting to enter. Inside, people were seen rushing to the center stage.

Congo has seen similar incidents in the past, often blamed on poor crowd control measures. Eleven people died in a similar crush at the same stadium last October during a concert.