At least six people were killed in a stampede outside the stadium in an African Cup of Nations football game in Cameroon, officials have said.
The stampede happened as crowds struggled to gain access to Olembe Stadium in the capital, Yaounde, to watch the host nation play Comoros in a last 16 knockout match.
A regional governor, Naseri Paul Biya, said there could be more casualties, as a hospital in the area said at least 40 had been injured in the stampede.
Officials said almost 50,000 people tried to attend the match at the Olembe Stadium. Pic AP
“Some of the injured are in desperate condition,” said Olinga Prudence, a nurse.
“We will have to evacuate them to a specialised hospital.”
Officials said about 50,000 people had tried to attend the match.
The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but it was not meant to be more than 80% full due to COVID restrictions.
Cameroon is hosting Africa’s flagship football tournament for the first time in 50 years
Confederation of African Football to visit supporters
In a statement, the Confederation of African Football said that it is “aware of the incident” at the Olembe Stadium and are “trying to get more details on what transpired”.
Officials said almost 50,000 people tried to attend the match at the Olembe Stadium. Pic AP
“We are in constant communication with Cameroon government and the local organizing committee,” CAF said.
“Tonight, the CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe sent the General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba to visit the supporters in hospital in Yaoundé.”
Cameroon won the game 2-1, but the game was marred after six people were killed in a stampede. Pic AP
Tight match overshadowed by off-the-pitch incident
On the pitch, Cameroon won the game 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals.
Strikers Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar had given Cameroon the lead by the 70th minute against the tournament newcomers, who are ranked 132nd in the world and played with a defender in goal due to a coronavirus outbreak in the squad.
Comoros’ Chaker Alhadhur, a defender normally, played as a goalkeeper due to a COVID outbreak in the squad
Comoros also had to cope with playing most of the match with 10 men after Jimmy Abdou was sent off in the seventh minute for stepping on the back of Moumi Ngamaleu’s ankle.
Referee causes chaos after ending group match between Tunisia and Mali early twice
But Comoros midfielder Youssouf M’Changama gave his side hope, scoring from a free-kick from 30 yards in the 81st minute.
Details of the tragedy outside the stadium were only confirmed after the game.
Cameroon is hosting Africa’s flagship football tournament for the first time in 50 years.
The host nation is scheduled to face Guinea, another tournament debutant, on Saturday in the quarter-final.
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