Eight killed after chaos at football stadium – VG

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The Africa Cup of Nations is being held in the country, and on Monday night the host nation hosted the Comoros. Outside the stadium, according to local authorities, there must have been congestion and panic.

AFP quotes Cameroonian health authorities as saying that eight people have been killed.

Guards have tried to restrain the crowds, but do not succeed. Several are said to have been pushed to death while people tried to enter the gates. Videos and pictures on the internet show lifeless people lying on the ground.

The news agency AP, as well as local journalists and the media report on the deaths. Employees at Messassi Hospital say they have received over 40 injured people after the incident at the stadium.

– Some are in critical condition, says nurse Olinga Prudence to AP.

– We have to move them to a hospital with specialist expertise, she continues.

According to eyewitnesses, many children ended up in the middle of the chaos. The chaos is said to have occurred when guards closed the gates for people who wanted to enter the stadium.

50,000 people are said to have tried to get into the fight. Olembe Stadium has a capacity of 60,000, but it was only allowed to fill 80 percent of the stadium due to corona restrictions.

The African Football Association CAF has in a press release written that they are investigating the incident, and trying to get more information, writes BBC.

Cameroon won the match 2-1 and secured a ticket to the quarterfinals of the championship. The incident outside the stadium was not confirmed until after the match was finished, writes Sky News.

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