At least 37 dead after stampede at military stadium in Republic of Congo during recruitment event

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo — A stampede at a military stadium has left at least 37 people dead in Repubic of Congo after large crowds of young people responded to a recruitment appeal, authorities said Tuesday.

Long lines have formed outside recruitment centers each day over the past week as young people have sought to join the army, one of the few institutions offering work in Republic of Congo. As many as 700 people a day have registered, though there are only a total of 1,500 places available.

“The provisional toll established by the emergency services is 37 dead and many injured,” according to a press release issued on Tuesday by the prime minister’s office crisis unit.