A stampede has resulted in the loss of 37 lives, during an army recruitment drive in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo according to AFP reports on Tuesday.

Last week, the army in the central African nation, commonly known as Congo-Brazzaville, announced plans to recruit 1,500 individuals aged between 18 and 25.

Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “A crisis unit has been set up under the authority of the prime minister.”
He confirmed that 37 people lost their lives in this unfortunate event, with an unspecified number of others sustaining injuries.

The recruitment drive directed aspiring candidates to the Michel d’Ornano stadium in the heart of Brazzaville.

According to local residents, the stampede occurred on Monday night, with many still in the stadium at the time.

Reports suggest that some individuals attempted to force their way through gates, leading to a chaotic situation where many were trampled in the ensuing scramble.