At least six persons have been reported dead after a stampede at Olembe Stadium that hosted Cameroon and Comoros in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde during an Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday.
Many others have also been injured in the crush according to reports.
In a video that surfaced online, football fans were seen struggling to get access to the stadium.
A Cameroon-based television, CRTV, reported that “half a dozen deaths and dozens have been injured”.
Terror unfolded outside the match between Cameroon and Comoros, 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-19 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.
Confederation of African Football confirmed the incident in a statement, 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.”
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.
Nurse Olinga Prudence, said: “Some of the injured are in desperate condition.
“We will have to evacuate them to a specialised hospital.”
WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
AFCON 2021: Six Reported Dead, Many Injured At Cameroon Vs Comoros Match pic.twitter.com/M7FR21YnfA
— NaijaMedia News (@NaijamediaNews) January 25, 2022
