The Confederation of African Football has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a deadly stampede at the Stade d’Olembe in Yaounde, Cameroon ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match on 24 May. 1 between hosts Cameroon and Comoros.
Initial reports of six deaths, which circulated shortly after the match, have now been updated to eight deaths in a government statement, while the names of some of the victims have begun appear.
“The first summary of the stampede is that eight people died and 38 were injured, of which 31 were slightly injured and seven were seriously injured,” the statement from the Ministry of Communications read.
“The deceased were taken to the Emergency Center in Yaounde for proper procedures, while the injured were sent to four different medical centers in Yaounde city.
“Surname [health centers] was immediately alerted at the behest of the President of the Republic Paul Biya. ”
Official figures released by the Cameroonian Ministry of Communications
After last night’s Stampede at Olembe stadium, 8 people have died, 31 people have suffered minor injuries and 7 people are in serious condition.# AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/BOysqTWwaj
– George Addo Jnr (@addojunr) January 25, 2022
What happened to make fans trample each other in Cameroon?
The local government clarified with GOAL shortly after the incident how supporters were trying to enter the stadium when security personnel tried to move the barricade at the South Entrance of the stadium. motion.
Fans closer to the gate were trampled underneath those trying to enter the arena. Some injured fans were still transported to the hospital from the stadium’s medical center until three-and-a-half hours after the game started, while other victims were treated in the treatment rooms of the stadiums. players at the stadium.
Some of the things I witnessed at the Stade d’Olembe in Yaounde this evening.
One teenager was hooked up to an electrocardiogram machine, which was taken to a medical facility more than three hours after the game.
Red Cross medics worked until nearly midnight trying to stabilize the victims and save lives. pic.twitter.com/pEk8Xz6CbI
– Ed Dove (@EddyDove) January 25, 2022
“For this film, whose appeal creates emotion and amazement, the Führer sends his deepest condolences to the families who have been severely affected, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. recover. of the whole nation,” the statement continued.
The government also confirmed it has launched an investigation into the incident and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that it is starting its own investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The Cameroon government has called on fans to show “a sense of responsibility, discipline and civility by all for the success of this grand sports party”.
THAN: Completing AFCON 2022 schedule
“The CAF is aware of an incident that took place at Olembe Stadium during the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations match between hosts Cameroon and the Comoros tonight, 24 January 2022,” the football governing body said in a statement. Africa.
“CAF is currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what happened. We are in regular contact with the government of Cameroon and the local Organizing Committee. “
CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba visited supporters who were hospitalized in Yaounde in the hours following their injuries.
Officials at Yaounde’s Messassi Hospital told the AP that at least 40 injured people were transported to their facility, while the local gendarmerie confirmed to GOAL that the deaths and injuries occurred as people Supporters trying to enter the stadium crush those who have fallen in front of them. .
GOAL was on the scene and saw Red Cross doctors tending to patients who discovered they were involved in the crush. A teenage fan was taken from the players’ medical room to an ambulance waiting on a stretcher, before being taken to a nearby medical facility.
The medical staff at the stadium appeared in varying degrees of distress following the incident, but they can only share hope that the victims who were transported to the hospital in time will receive treatment. that they need to survive.
FIFA also offered its condolences to those affected by the tragedy, sending “the thoughts and prayers of the global football community” to the victims, injured and staff involved in the incident. .
AFCON Organizing Committee spokesman Abel Mbengue said: “We see everywhere there is this kind of stampede everywhere there are these kinds of large crowd movements. according to L’Equipe. “We are waiting for reliable information about the victims.”
THAN: AFCON quarterfinals
The 60,000-seat stadium has reduced capacity by 50,000 for the match, with the stadium at 80% due to restrictions installed before the competition to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Other matches in the tournament without hosts Cameroon are set at 60% capacity.
The Round of 16 match went on as scheduled and Cameroon beat the Comoros 2-1 to advance to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Gambia in Douala on January 29.
The tragedy at the Stade d’Olembe comes less than 48 hours after at least 17 people were killed in a nightclub fire.
