In Yaounde, Cameroon, a crowd crush outside Olembe Stadium on Monday led to six deaths and numerous injuries. The incident happened as fans tried to get inside to watch the host country face off against Comoros in a round-of-16 match of the Africa Cup of Nations, which Cameroon won 2-1.
Yaounde: 6 were dead; many got injured in a crush outside Olembe Stadium in Cameroonian during the Football match on Monday. The crowd attempted to enter the Stadium to watch the host nation play Comoros in the Africa cup of Nations. The incident was held at the Olembe Stadium in Cameroon during the tournament, hosts’ 2-1 wins over in a last-16 tie.
While the stadium's total capacity is 60,000, attendance was capped to curb the spread of coronavirus. The disaster was triggered when the limit for Cameroon's national team matches was increased from 60% to 80%, leading to dangerous overcrowding.
According to the state broadcaster CRTV, the crush at the stadium entrance killed six people and left many injured. Abel Mbengue, representing the AFCON organizing committee, confirmed to AFP that a stampede had taken place, noting that they are still awaiting official confirmation on the total number of victims.
The African Football Confederation, the body overseeing the continent's premier competition, is currently investigating the circumstances of the tragedy. They also stated that the Secretary General has been dispatched to provide support to the injured fans currently in Yaounde hospitals.
Cameroon's Health Minister, Manaouda Malachie, visited the wounded in the hospital, sharing photos of his visit on social media. He emphasized that the government is providing high-quality medical care to all victims free of charge.
This tragedy highlights a recurring global issue where overcrowding at sporting events leads to mass casualties. Similar disasters include the 2001 crush at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park during a match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, which killed 43 people, and a 1996 World Cup qualifier in Guatemala between the home team and Costa Rica that claimed 90 lives. More recently in 2015, a chaotic attempt by thousands of fans to enter a stadium in Cairo ended in 19 deaths after police deployed tear gas and birdshot.
Security concerns have plagued Cameroon's infrastructure for years; in fact, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations had to be moved to Egypt because the local stadiums weren't ready. These ongoing delays in construction and poor infrastructure planning have raised serious questions about the safety and security of the venues.