Stampede kills 31 during Congo army recruitment drive: communication minister

A desperate crush to get through a stadium gate for an army recruiting event saw at least 31 people trampled to death in the Republic of Congo capital, officials said Tuesday.

A prosecutor said he had opened an investigation into the disaster when several thousand youths descended on the Michel d'Ornano stadium on Monday night hoping for one of 1,500 army posts.  Security officials said the dead were left after people tried to push through one gate.

They said some tried to force the gate open while others tried to jump over a wall into the stadium. The government revised down a toll of 37 dead to 31 but officials said many of the 145 injured were in serious condition.