AFCON: Eight Dead, Many Injured In Stampede After Cameroon vs Comoros Match [Video]

Eight people have dead in a stampede at Olembe Stadium that hosted Cameroon and Comoros in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde during the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Cameroon Stadium Stampede

It was gathered that the Cameroon stampede happened on Monday night when the crowd were struggling to gain access to Olembe Stadium to watch the match between the host nation and Comoros.

Although the stadium’s capacity of 60,000 has been limited over coronavirus fears, the 60 percent cap is raised to 80 percent 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”.

A 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.

“Some of the injured are in desperate condition. We will have to evacuate them to a specialised hospital,” a nurse Olinga Prudence said, noting that the injured were rushed to the nearby Messassi hospital by police and civilians.

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.

A baby was also reportedly trampled by the crowd, the health ministry added, although the infant was “immediately extracted and taken to Yaounde General Hospital” and is in a “medically stable” condition.

CAF Probes Cameroon Stampede

The African football ruling body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the incident in a statement late Monday night, saying that investigation is ongoing.

The statement read, “CAF is aware of the incident that took place at Olembe Stadium during the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations fixture between hosts Cameroon and Comoros tonight, 24 January 2022.

“CAF is currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired. We are in constant communication with Cameroon government and the Local Organizing Committee.

“Tonight, the CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe sent the General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba to visit the supporters in hospital in Yaoundé.”

Watch the video below:

This comes barely five days after 30 people were confirmed dead during a stampede that happed at a church programme in New Kru Town, Liberia.