Eight dead, 50 injured after stampede in Cameroon, Comoros clash

Eight people were killed and about 50 injured in a crash outside a Cameroonian football stadium on Monday ahead of the Cameroon and Comoros Africa Cup of Nations match.

Crowds attempted to enter through a southern 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 coronavirus fears, the 60 per cent cap is raised to 80 per cent when Cameroon's Indomitable Lions play.

"Eight 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 health ministry report obtained by AFP.

The ministry said victims were "immediately transported" in ambulances, but "heavy road traffic slowed down the transport".

Some 50 people were injured in the crush, including two people with multiple injuries and two more with serious head wounds, the ministry said.

The ministry also added that a baby was also reportedly trampled by the crowd but was "immediately extracted and taken to Yaounde General Hospital and is in a "medically stable" condition.

World football governing body FIFA sent a message of condolences to those affected by the stampede.

"FIFA sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the tragic incident that took place at Olembe Stadium during the Africa Cup of Nations fixture between Cameroon and Comoros.

 The thoughts and prayers of the global football community are with the victims, the ones who have been injured in this incident, and all the staff of both CAF and the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) at this difficult moment," read a statement from FIFA.

Tournament organisers had earlier confirmed to AFP that casualties had been recorded without providing further details.

Africa Cup of Nations organising committee spokesperson Abel Mbengue told AFP: "There was a crush as can happen when there is a stampede. We are waiting for reliable information on the number of casualties in this tragic incident".

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".

Cameroon's health minister Manaouda Malachie tweeted images showing him visiting a hospital treating those hurt in the incident. "Everything is done to give them free care and the best support," he tweeted.

The CAF will hold a "crisis meeting" with the organising committee on Tuesday morning at 9:30 am (0830 GMT), dedicated exclusively to security issues in the stadiums, a source close to CAF told AFP.

© Agence France-Presse