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Africa Cup of Nations: At Least Eight People Dead In Stampede Outside Football Ground

People assist victims of a stampede outside the stadium

At least eight people were killed in a stampede outside the stadium in an Africa 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.

According to Sky News, regional governor, Naseri Paul Biya, said there could be more casualties, as a hospital in the area reported at least 40 had been injured in the stampede.


Olinga Prudence, a nurse directly involved with the casualties, said:

"Some of the injured are in desperate condition, we will have to evacuate them to a specialised hospital."

The injured were rushed to the nearby Messassi hospital by police and civilians, officials said.

Witnesses at the stadium said children were among those involved in the incident, as others said it took place when stadium stewards closed the gates and stopped allowing people in.

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% — a cap of 48,000 in attendance — full due to Covid-19 restrictions.

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