At least six people have been reported dead and many others injured in a crush at the Olembe Stadium where hosts Cameroon beat Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 match.
It is the first time tragedy was recorded at a stadium in the 64-year history of the tournament.
According to multiple sources and video footage online, football fans were struggling and forcing their ways to get access to the Paul Biya stadium in Olembe, a neighbourhood of the capital Yaounde, hence leading to stampede. The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but because of COVID-19 restrictions it was not meant to have more than 80% spectators.
Match officials were quoted as saying that some 50,000 people were trying to attend the game.
Nick Cavell, a producer for BBC Africa, was at the match and said that news of the crush did not seem to filter through to the crowd until there were reports on social media.
The Confederation of African Football, CAF said in a statement that it is “currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired”.
Nurse Olinga Prudence told AP that some of the injured were in a “desperate condition” and have been rushed to nearby hospitals in Yaoundé where the Minister for Health Dr. Manaouda Malachie and CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba have visited the victims receiving treatments.
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