An army recruitment drive took place in a stadium in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, overnight, and thirty-seven young people were killed in a stampede, authorities announced on Tuesday.
The Congolese army, commonly known as Congo-Brazzaville, declared last week that it was hiring 1,500 individuals between the ages of 18 and 25.
A number of individuals were injured in the “tragedy,” according to Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso, who also reported that 37 people had died.
A statement further stated, “A crisis unit has been established under the prime minister’s authority.”
Prospective recruits were instructed to report at Brazzaville’s Michel d’Ornano stadium.
Many people were still inside the stadium on Monday night when the rush started, according to locals.
Residents claimed that several had tried to force their way through gates, causing many to be trampled in the rush.
The event’s specifics are still unclear, and AFP was unable to independently confirm the information.
