Eight dead, 40 injured in football stadium stampede

At least eight people were killed while 40 sustained injuries after a deadly stampede broke out outside Olembe Stadium ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations soccer match between Cameroon and Comoros on Monday.  

Reportedly, the stampede was sparked by people frantically trying to enter the stadium.

Football fans were crushed as they tried to enter a stadium to watch the game— which was won by Cameroon 2-1.

AFCON:
At least six people confirmed dead and multiple supporters hospitalised after 'stampede' outside the ground.

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The Africa Cup of Nations is an international football tournament – founded in 1957 – which is held between African national football teams.

Naseri Paul Biya, governor of Cameroon’s central region, told AP authorities were still assessing the death toll. 

Sorces citing a preliminary report from local health authorities said, that up to 8 people lost their lives in the incident and at least 40 injured were reportedly taken to a nearby hospital.

A hospital nurse revealed that “Some of the injured are in critical condition” and that should be evacuated in a specialist hospital. 

Moreover, the officials said the hospital wasn’t capable of treating all of them.

Naseri Paul Biya, the governor of the central region of Cameroon, said there could be more deaths.

“We are not in position to give you the total number of casualties,” governor said. 

Following that incident, Cameroon President Paul Biya urged the country to be on guard while it hosts its biggest national sports event in a half century.