Eight people died in an avalanche at the entrance of the Olembe Stadium, where a soccer match was being played in the round of 16 of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations between Cameroon and Comoros, according to the AP agency.
Some 50 people were injured in the incident, some of them in a very serious condition.
Human avalanche at soccer stadium leaves eight people dead
Naseri Paul Biya, governor of Cameroon’s central region, said he was not in a position to give “the total number of casualties” during an incident at the gates of the stadium, where thousands of fans gathered and tried to enter despite the gates being closed, witnesses said.
According to the authorities, some 50,000 people wanted to enter the stadium, which has a capacity of 60,000, but only allowed a capacity of 48,000 spectators due to restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Avalanche at Olembe stadium investigated by Confederation of African Football
“CAF is aware of the incident that took place at the Olembe Stadium during the Africa Cup match between hosts Cameroon and Comoros tonight 24 January 2022,” the Confederation of African Football said in a statement.
The body is “investigating the situation and seeking further details on what happened.”
“We are in constant communication with the government of Cameroon and the Local Organizing Committee. Tonight, CAF president Dr. Patrice Motsepe sent secretary general Veron Mosengo-Omba to visit the fans at the hospital in Yaoundé,” it sentenced.
