4 die in DR Congo stampede
2002-12-19 13:45
Goma - Four people were killed overnight Wednesday and at least 30 others injured in a stampede after a concert of spiritual music in a Goma soccer stadium.
Seven people were in critical condition among those rushed to hospital in this eastern city of DR Congo, medical officials said.
Panic broke out when troops guarding the stadium fired shots in the air to clear the only exit, witnesses said.
"Troops fired shots to allow the singers (of the Europe-based Congolese) singers (of Christian music), Makoma, to leave first as thousands of people were already pushing to leave through the stadium's only exit, which led to shoving and trampling," said a witness.
The free concert was organized by the rebel Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) which is based in Goma. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA