At least 37 people have died in a stampede at a military stadium in the Republic of Congo as a result of enormous gatherings of youth responding to a recruitment plea, according to authorities on Tuesday.
Oko Ngakala, the public prosecutor, questioned why the celebration was still going on at midnight and said that an investigation would be opened.
A young graduate named Brandon Tsetou said he had been waiting in front of Ornado stadium since Monday morning after managing to escape the suffocation.
It was the last day, as far as the organisers were concerned. That’s the reason a lot of us made the decision to stay up late in the hopes of registering,” he told The Associated Press. “Some were so impatient that they had to force their way in, causing a stampede that left a number of people dead or injured, which we deplore.”
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For the past week, young people have been waiting in long lines outside recruitment centres to join the army, which is one of the few organisations in the Republic of Congo that offers employment. Only 1,500 spaces are available, despite the fact that up to 700 individuals register each day.
“The crisis unit of the prime minister’s office has determined that there are 37 fatalities and numerous injuries as of now, based on the preliminary report provided by Emergency Services.”
