At least nine people died and others were injured at a live concert in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, the country's health minister has said.
Gospel singer and pastor Mike Kalambay was performing at the 80,000-seater Martyrs Stadium in the capital, Kinshasa, but photos taken at the event show scenes of overcrowding.
A 10-year-old child is among those who died, according to local media.
The governor of Kinshasa, Daniel Bumba, has released a statement blaming "excesses and crowd movements" for the disaster.
DR Congo's justice minister has ordered an investigation, and the questioning of the police officers who were present at the time and the event organiser Maajabu Gospel.
In a statement released after Saturday's concert, Maajabu Gospel said it was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths. It blamed "troublemakers", and said there were 2,000 police officers at the event who had tried to pacify them.
The organisers also insisted there were about 30,000 people at the concert - much less than the venue's maximum capacity.
The stadium, which is a major landmark and said to be one of the biggest in Africa, is now closed until further notice.
It regularly plays host to some of the biggest names in music, various football matches, and was also the venue for President Félix Tshisekedi's swearing-in ceremony.
Following Saturday's chaos, Kinshasa city authorities have asked police to strengthen security measures and told event organisers to adhere to safety regulations.
Incidents like these are not uncommon at large-scale events in DR Congo.
In 2022, a stadium crush at the same venue during a concert by Congolese star Fally Ipupa left 11 people dead.
Latest Stories
-
Money lost through fraud cases in financial sector increased by 7% in 2023 to hit GH¢88m –BoG
7 mins -
Not all packaged water is wholesome – Water Resource Engineer
14 mins -
NDC demo against EC: About 20k people expected to participate in V/R – NDC Regional Secretary
22 mins -
UBA’s REDTV premieres ‘13 Kinds of Women’ live on YouTube on Sept. 19
23 mins -
Water conflicts in Africa surge by 153% over five-year period
27 mins -
Akufo-Addo reaffirms commitment to supporting public-private enterprises
30 mins -
Illegal mining: Very soon we’ll see half human beings walking around – Pathologist warns
32 mins -
Amerado announces second edition of ‘My Motherland Concert’
35 mins -
Guinness Ghana DJ Clinic educates DJs in Accra on business strategies
1 hour -
Sebastian Coe, Kirsty Coventry and five others file to contest IOC Presidency
1 hour -
NDC, NPP members clash at Gomoa West over DRIP machines commissioning
1 hour -
Guinness Ghana DJ Awards Pub Fest 2024 held in Accra
1 hour -
A vote for Bawumia-Napo ticket is a vote for the youth of Ghana – Salam Mustapha
1 hour -
Rex Omar highlights NDC’s pledge to establish proper royalty collection system
2 hours -
I’ll place one-year ban on small-scale mining – Alan Kyerematen
2 hours