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Five Dead, Dozens Injured in Stampede Outside Algiers Rap Concert

Five people died at a rap concert in Algeria's capital city of Algiers on Thursday following a stampede.
Sputnik

The stampede occurred at a concert of local rap star Abderraouf Derradji, more commonly known as "Soolking."

​According to reports, three men and two women were killed in the stampede that took place outside the city's August 20, 1955 Stadium. At least 21 others were wounded. The victims were transported to the Mustapha Pacha hospital in Sidi M'Hamed, Algeria.

​According to local media, the stampede took place at one of the entrances to the stadium. One of the witnesses on site told local news source TSA that the stampede was the result of a management problem. 

Thousands of people had gathered for the event. Despite the incident, Soolking continued with his concert, which was being broadcast live on Canal Algérie, an Algerian television channel.

Locals took to social media Thursday evening, criticizing the poor management that allegedly caused the stampede.

"Even a small concert of a few thousand fans could not be organized according to the required standards. 5 dead and some 100 wounded! #Horrible," one user tweeted in French Thursday.

​An investigation of the incident is underway, according to local news source l-info.

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