Stampede at Madagascar’s nationwide stadium kills 12, injures round 80

A stampede of sports activities followers attempting to enter Madagascar’s nationwide stadium for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games has killed 12 and injured round 80, the prime minister stated on Friday.

Videos shared on social media confirmed Red Cross employees caring for dozens of injured individuals subsequent to the athletics monitor.

Prime Minister Christian Ntsay stated 11 of the injured had been in a essential situation.

It was not instantly clear what precipitated the stampede, however at the very least 15 individuals had been killed in the same incident on the Mahamasina stadium in 2019.

“An unfortunate event happened. There was a stampede at the entrance. There were a lot of injuries. We will observe a few seconds of silence because compatriots have died when they wanted to enter,” President Andry Rajoelina informed the gang within the stadium.

After the silence, the ceremony continued with a laser present and fireworks.

The Indian Ocean Island Games had been created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1977, and embrace athletes from Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, Reunion and the Maldives.

Published On:

Aug 26, 2023