The party turned into tragedy in Kinshasa. Eleven people – nine spectators and two policemen – died on Saturday evening in a stampede during a concert by Congolese musician Fally Ipupa in the largest stadium in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the interior minister said on Sunday. , Daniel Aselo Okito.
On his way there, the minister offered his condolences to the bereaved families, but also lamented that “human and material damage” is frequently recorded during demonstrations in this 80,000-seat stadium. According to his remarks, published by the news site News.cd, there were too many people inside the stadium. The organizer “went beyond 100%” of its capacity, “he must be punished”, he estimated.
“Music lovers were suffocated”
“It was a stampede” that caused these deaths, “the music lovers were suffocated”, also told the Congolese Press Agency (ACP, official) a police officer present Saturday evening in the stadium, which was full to crack. Fans of the 44-year-old star, who mixes traditional African harmonies and urban music, crowded “even into the corridors”, according to a witness.
“Despite all the arrangements made for strict compliance with safety instructions, unfortunate and dramatic incidents marred the end of the concert,” wrote Fally Ipupa on her Facebook page. “Indeed (…), following certain jostling at the exit and around the stadium, compatriots were torn from life”, added the singer, saying he was “deeply dismayed”.
According to ACP, which had a team at the stadium, the police had set up three cordons to secure the pitch, the VIP stand and the podium. But “under the pressure of the crowd, the police could not hold out for long”. The Agency also noted that Fally Ipupa, “like all Congolese singers”, had arrived several hours after the theoretical start time of the concert.
Source: 20minutes
I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.
