Not less than 8 people were killed and about 50 injured in a stampede outside a Cameroonian football stadium on Monday ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations match.
Thgis happened while a crowd attempted to enter through an entrance at Olembe stadium in the capital Yaounde to watch the host nation play Comoros.
Although the stadium’s capacity of 60,000 has been limited over Covid-19 fears, the population increased beyond that.
“8 deaths were recorded, two women in their thirties, four men in their thirties, one child, one body taken away by the family,” according to a preliminary report by the health ministry .
The ministry said victims were “immediately transported” in ambulances, but “heavy road traffic slowed down the transport”.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), which runs the continent’s flagship competition, said it was “investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired”.
In a statement online, the organisation said it had sent its secretary general to “visit the supporters in hospital in Yaounde”.
It added it was in constant communication with Cameroon government and the Local Organizing Committee.
On the pitch, Cameroon sealed their place in the last eight of the tournament with a 2-1 win and will now play The Gambia in the quarter-finals.
The Comoros side had qualified for the last 16 in their first-ever appearance at the Cup of Nations.
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