A tragic stampede at a music concert in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, on Saturday, July 27, 2024, resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including a 10-year-old child and at least two women. Numerous others were injured in the incident.
The event took place at the Stade des Martyrs stadium, which has the capacity to hold 80,000 people. Daniel Bumba, the Governor of Kinshasa, and Roger Kamba, the DRC Health Minister, confirmed the casualties. They also revealed that several injured individuals had been admitted to intensive care units. The concert featured a performance by Mike Kalambayi, a widely followed Congolese gospel singer.
The local music management firm, Maajabu Gospel, organized the concert, which drew an estimated crowd of 30,000 people. The event included performances by various musicians and pastors. However, the jubilant atmosphere quickly devolved into pandemonium as the stampede ensued. Videos of the incident showed large groups of people outside the stadium, waiting to enter, and inside, masses of attendees were seen rushing towards the center stage.
The authorities have not yet disclosed the exact cause of the stampede, stating that an investigation is ongoing. Maajabu Gospel indicated that the disorder started when officers attempted to handle some disruptive attendees. Around 2,000 police officers were deployed at the venue, raising questions about the effectiveness of the crowd control measures in place during the event.
This incident casts a spotlight on the recurring issue of inadequate crowd control at large-scale events in Congo. Just last October, 11 people lost their lives in a similar incident at the same stadium during a music concert.
Governor Bumba has expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and has pledged a thorough investigation into the incident. He linked the fatalities to “overflows and crowd movements” within the stadium.
In a statement, Maajabu Gospel stressed the need for enhanced security protocols to avert 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,” they said.
The concert was intended to be a festive occasion, uniting music enthusiasts and religious leaders for entertainment and spiritual enrichment. The headline act, Mike Kalambayi, is revered for his uplifting gospel music and enjoys a significant following in Congo. His performance was highly anticipated, and the large crowd attested to his popularity.
As the investigation continues, there are calls for stricter regulations and improved planning for large gatherings. Ensuring the safety of attendees should be a paramount concern to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.