BY KASSAHUN CHANIE
A stampede in Congo's capital, Brazzaville, killed at least 31 people while leaving scores injured throughout the course of the night, the government announced. News reports by local media indicated that the incident happened during an army recruitment drive.
Monday’s tragedy occurred at the Michel d’Ornano Stadium in the heart of Brazzaville, where army recruitment operations were taking place since Nov. 14. Although nothing concrete has been established police are probing into the incident, it was reported.
Recruitments came to a halt to allow mourning for the 31 whose lives were lost in the stampede. Many were still in the stadium when the stampede happened, causing many to be trampled in the confused retreat.
Last week, the army in the central African nation also known as Congo-Brazzaville announced it was recruiting 1,500 people aged between 18 and 25.
Over 140 injured so far in the accident whose death toll has risen to 37.
Unemployment is rampant in the country of 5.8 million people, where according to the World Bank, “75 percent of the Congolese workforce are employed in the informal sector, either self-employed or in low-productivity jobs”.
Twelve people were murdered and about 80 injured when a mob of sports fans attempted to storm Madagascar's national stadium during the Indian Ocean Island Games opening ceremony in August.