At least eight football supporters dead after stampede during Africa Cup of Nations game between Cameroon and Comoros
AT least eight football fans have died after a stampede during an Africa Cup of Nations game between hosts Cameroon and Comoros.
Around 50 have also been injured in the crush outside Paul Biya Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon, the governor of the central region of Cameroon has said.
Terror unfolded outside the match, with horror reports of fans being trampled.
Shocking photos show fans unconscious on the ground with others attempting to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Another video shows a huge stampede of fans rushing through the gates of the 60,000 capacity stadium.
The stadium was not meant to be more than 80 per cent full for the game due to Covid rules – but more than 50,000 people tried to attend, officials said.
Dozens of fans have been taken to hospital with children among the injured, local media reported.
Governor of the central region of Cameroon, Naseri Paul Biya, said there could be more casualties.
And officials at the nearby Messassi hospital said they had received at least 40 injured people from the stampede.
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Nurse Olinga Prudence, said: “Some of the injured are in desperate condition.
“We will have to evacuate them to a specialised hospital.”
A spokesman for the Confederation of African Football said: “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.”
Despite the horrific tragedy outside the ground, the match kicked off as scheduled at 7pm local time.
Comoros were not expected to put up much of a challenge after being forced to name an outfield player in goal after Covid struck its camp.
And things proved even tougher for the side when former Millwall midfielder Jimmy Abdou received a red card for his challenge on Moumi Ngamaleu.
Cameroon had netted two goals midway through the second half, before Comoros pulled one back.
But the it wasn’t enough to stop the tournament hosts, who clung on to claim a 2-1 victory.