A gospel concert in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, turned deadly when at least nine people, including a 10-year-old child, lost their lives in a crowd incident. The event, featuring popular gospel singer and pastor Mike Kalambay, was held at the massive 80,000-capacity Martyrs Stadium.
Despite the venue’s large size, photos from the concert reveal severe overcrowding. Kinshasa’s governor attributed the tragedy to “excesses and crowd movements,” while event organizers Maajabu Gospel blamed “troublemakers” despite the presence of 2,000 police officers.
In response to the incident, DR Congo’s justice minister has ordered an investigation, including questioning of police officers present and the event organizers. The Martyrs Stadium, a major landmark in the country, has been closed indefinitely pending further notice.
This tragedy is not an isolated incident in DR Congo. A similar crush at the same venue during a concert by Fally Ipupa in 2022 resulted in 11 fatalities. In light of these recurring issues, Kinshasa city authorities have called for stricter security measures and adherence to safety regulations by event organizers.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of crowd management and event safety in the country, particularly at large-scale gatherings. As the investigation unfolds, questions about responsibility and prevention of future tragedies remain at the forefront of public concern.