Eight deaths were recorded and dozens injured in a crush outside an Africa Cup of Nations match in Cameroon.
According to BBC News, football fans attempted to get access to the Paul Biya stadium in the capital Yaounde to watch a match.
Even though the stadium has a capacity of 60 000, it was not meant to be more than 80% full due to COVID-19 restrictions.
A preliminary health ministry report obtained by AFP showed that “Eight deaths were recorded, two women in their thirties, four men in their thirties, one child, one body taken away by the family.” The infant is reportedly in a “medically stable” condition.
In a statement, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it was aware of the incident: “CAF is currently investigating the situation in order to obtain more details about these incidents. We are in constant communication with the Cameroonian authorities and the local organizing committee.”
The incident which took place on Monday came after another reported tragedy where 16 people were killed when a fire tore through a nightclub in the capital on Sunday, as per a statement.
Another eight people were seriously injured and are in intensive care, CNN reports.
With a dozen people killed in #OlembeStadium stampede, @CAF_Online & @FIFAcom should face civil & criminal charges for gross negligence in allowing #Cameroun, clearly unprepared to fulfill its duty of care & security to fans, to host #AFCON. pic.twitter.com/XvKzryMinh
— Herbert Boh (@BohHerbert) January 25, 2022
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Picture: Screenshot from video / Twitter
