2023 Brazzaville crowd crush

Disaster in the Republic of the Congo

4°16′8″S 15°15′56″E / 4.26889°S 15.26556°E / -4.26889; 15.26556TypeCrowd crushDeaths32Non-fatal injuries144

On 21 November, 2023, a crowd crush in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, occurred on the final day of a military recruitment drive in the Michel d'Ornano Stadium, causing at least 32 deaths and 144 injuries.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Background

The Congolese army announced a week prior to the disaster that it was planning to recruit 1,500 people of ages 18 to 25 in a campaign that started on 14 November at the Michel d’Ornano Stadium in Brazzaville.^[3] There were reportedly 700 people who signed up on a daily basis prior to the incident.^[4]

The youth unemployment rate in the Republic of the Congo is at 42%, and joining the army is seen as a rare job opportunity.^[4]

Events

Thousands of youth had reportedly gathered outside the stadium early on 20 November, which was said to be the last day of the recruitment drive. Survivors and residents said that many had waited until the evening, with some "impatient" applicants forcing their way into the stadium, causing the crush.^[4]^[3] Some of the applicants forced the stadium's gates open while others jumped over the walls.^[5]

At least 31 people were killed and 145 others were injured.^[2] The death toll was initially reported at 37 before it was found that six deaths occurred elsewhere.^[6] Another person died of her injuries on 25 November, raising the death toll to 32.^[1]

Aftermath

A crisis unit was created under Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso, while the public prosecutor said an investigation would be launched.^[4] The government said it would shoulder funeral expenses for the fatalities and medical treatment for the injured, while the army said it would suspend its recruitment drives until further notice.^[2]

A day of mourning for the victims of the disaster was declared on 22 November, with flags set at half-mast and "bars, dance clubs, beverage outlets, and festive venues" closed.^[7]^[8]

References

^ ^a ^b Moungalla, Thierry (November 27, 2023). ""La cellule de crise chargée de gérer les conséquences du drame du stade d'ORNANO a le regret d'informer nos compatriotes du décès, le samedi 25 novembre 2023 à 22h00 au CHU de Brazzaville, du jeune Franche F., qui etait admis au service de réanimation depuis le 21 novembre. Le.nombre de décès est porté à 32. Le Gouvernement présente ses condoléances les plus attristées à sa famille. La famille a été orientée vers le Ministère des affaires sociales, de la solidarité et de l'action humanitaire."". Facebook. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Republic of Congo marks a day of mourning for 31 dead in a stadium stampede". Associated Press. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Stampede kills 37 people in army recruitment drive in Congo-Brazzaville". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2023-11-21. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Chothia, Farouk (21 November 2023). "Congo-Brazzaville stampede: Dozens killed during army recruitment drive". BBC. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
^ "Congo: national mourning after 31 deaths in a stampede". Africanews. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
^ "Authorities say 31 dead after a stampede at a military recruitment event in Republic of Congo". Associated Press. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
^ "Congo Observes Day Of Mourning After Deadly Stampede". Barron's. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
^ "Congo: National Day of Mourning After the Death of 31 Youths". Africanews. 23 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.